Would you like to have 3 bottles of Brunello Prime Donne 2016 and 3 bottles of Riserva 2016 delivered straight to your home for €397.00?

This offer features two wines from the fantastic 2016 vintage—an exceptional five-star year—perfect for special occasions, the holidays, and important dinners with friends. It is reserved exclusively for members of Donatella’s Club!

A MEMORABLE VINTAGE

In 2016, the growing season—the “pregnancy” of the grapes—began early and ended late, as weather conditions slowed ripening during the final stage. This resulted in a true masterpiece from the

Casato Prime Donne vineyards: perfect grapes that yielded an incredibly elegant and satisfying Brunello—silky like heavy velvet, profound, and built to stand the test of time.

🎁 Receive a complimentary wine sleeve featuring the Donatella Cinelli Colombini winery logo; it protects your bottle when visiting friends or family, ensuring it travels safely in your bag or suitcase.

RATINGS BY THE INTERNATIONAL WINE CRITICS

Prime Donne Annata 2016

• 96 Wine Advocate – Robert Parker
• 96 James Suckling
• 95 Vinous – Antonio Galloni
• 94 Wine Spectator
• 93 Wine Enthusiast
• 5 GRAPPOLI GUIDA BIBENDA 2021
• TRE STELLE ORO – Guida Oro I Vini di Veronelli 2021

Brunello Riserva 2016

• 95+ Wine Advocate by Robert Parker
• 94 Vinous – Antonio Galloni
• 93 Wine Spectator
• 92 James Suckling
• 90 Wine Enthusiast

🍇 OFFER OF THE MONTH – For “Friends of Donatella” Members

3 bottles of Brunello Prime Donne 2016 DOCG

3 bottles of Brunello Riserva 2016

1 personalized wine skin from the Donatella Cinelli Colombini winery

Special price: €397.00 (instead of €443.85)

Plus a €10 discount on shipping

or

6 bottles of Brunello Prime Donne 2016 DOCG

6 bottles of Brunello Riserva 2016

2 personalized wine skins from the Donatella Cinelli Colombini winery

Special price: €759.00 (instead of €887.70)

Plus a €10 discount on shipping

📅 Offer valid until: October 20, 2026

🛒 How to order

Just one click and the wine arrives right at your doorstep!…

L'articolo Special Offer: Ten Years Later! sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle (Trequanda), Casato Prime Donne (Montalcino)

Let me start by saying this: I believe in technology and machinery serving nature. I have weather stations in my vineyards, I use an optical sorter to discard imperfect grapes during the harvest, and I use a peristaltic pump to move the wine—a piece of equipment originally designed for blood transfusions that is so gentle it is even used in fish farms to transport live fish. All this to say that I am not someone who longs for the past.

However, I encourage wine estates that welcome visitors to preserve and showcase antique farming tools, even if they are kept separate from the machinery currently in use. My aim is not to disparage fermentation halls filled with stainless steel and electronic sensors… but rather to show where we come from, and the sheer amount of work, talent, and dedication poured in by the generations that came before us. I carry in my heart the pride of a grape grower who grew up when rural folk were considered second-class citizens—a pride that compels me to declare: “I am not ashamed; on the contrary, I am proud of it!”

THE “CENTIPEDES” AT CASATO PRIME DONNE

I apologize for this long-winded explanation, but it was necessary to clarify why my cellars are teeming with pumps, de-stemmers, and tools from a century ago… They are visible everywhere.…

L'articolo THE CHARM OF FARMING TRADITIONS: ANTIQUE AGRICULTURAL TOOLS sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Something unique and tailor-made for the guest of honour, designed to turn a birthday party or anniversary into a truly memorable occasion.

It offers a blend of relaxed yet chic luxury—a setting as noble and historic as the Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda, surrounded by breathtaking views and featuring world-renowned wines.

This is how you transform a party into an event that will be remembered for years, making guests from different countries and backgrounds feel at ease—united by a shared desire to have fun and make new friends.

FROM EXCLUSIVE PARTIES TO CELEBRATIONS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

A minimum of 20 guests is required, though capacity can reach 60 by utilizing en-suite rooms and multi-bedroom, multi-bathroom apartments. The standard event package includes a two-night stay featuring a welcome dinner and a farewell brunch, with the main celebration—comprising an aperitif, dinner, cake cutting, and a party with music and dancing—taking place in between.

The format is flexible in terms of locations and setups, thanks to the estate’s vast size and beautiful grounds. Guests can also enjoy experiences designed to bring everyone together and provide entertainment—such as a Pinci” (fresh Tuscan pasta) making class, guided tours of the winery and villa with tastings, or a game of Panforte… Depending on the season and the significance of the event, elements of the program can be customized to create extraordinary moments—such as a birthday cake crafted by a world-champion pastry chef, a fireworks display, or even a special limited-edition run of Brunello wine featuring the guest of honour’s name on the label.…

L'articolo MEMORABLE BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

There are fifteen of them, and—with few exceptions—they have been the same for years. The vineyard is the only department within Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s companies where women are in the minority: there are only five. This is because the work requires physical strength and an aptitude for mechanics; indeed, only one woman—Simona De Gregorio—drives the tractor, whereas at least four of the men are able to do so.

A GRAPE GROWER’S WORK IS THE FRUIT OF PRACTICE AND INGENUITY

Years ago, underachieving students were often scolded with the phrase, “If you don’t want to study, go hoe the fields,” implying that agricultural work required no great intelligence—merely the repetition of actions and practices passed down orally.

In short, working on the land was seen as fit only for the bottom of the class. Today, that is no longer the case—or at least, not in viticulture.

The vineyard demands dedication, keen powers of observation, intuition, and study. And this is not just for a short time, but constantly—especially for those aspiring to positions of responsibility.

HOW TO BECOME A GRAPE GROWER

Training a grape grower takes years of practice, and not everyone reaches a high level of proficiency. The learning process is akin to practicing basketball fundamentals: aspiring athletes repeat dribbling, shooting, and passing drills until they can execute them perfectly and automatically, allowing them to focus on the game itself.…

L'articolo WHO ARE DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI’S GRAPE GROWERS? sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s family displays two contrasting approaches: some cover the walls with inscriptions and commemorative phrases, while others do not even affix plaques to their most significant achievements. Donatella’s great-grandfather, Pio Colombini, placed his name everywhere at the Universities of Cagliari and Modena, where he served as Rector. Her grandfather, Giovanni Colombini, did not put up even a small plaque at the Fortress of Montalcino, which he restored in 1940, rescuing it from a state of severe disrepair (at the time, there were even graves inside).

DONATELLA AND HER HABIT OF WRITING NAMES EVERYWHERE

Donatella likes to make names and dates visible, yet she dislikes the rhetoric often associated with commemorations. That is why, in various spots around Fattoria del Colle, one finds actual lists of names—just names, without commentary—which has led to some misunderstandings. The oldest list is in the restaurant’s fireplace room. It bears the date 1998, the year Donatella carried out her first restoration project after receiving the property from her father. There are only 13 names, belonging to the people who transformed a former ox stable and pigsty into the restaurant’s dining room and kitchen. Issues arose when tourists, failing to grasp the meaning of the inscription, assumed it was a memorial; “Was there a massacre here?”…

L'articolo FATTORIA DEL COLLE AND THE LISTS OF NAMES OF THOSE WHO BROUGHT IT BACK TO LIFE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, Wine Destination

The 2026 harvest may well be the first of the new “tropical era,” characterized by heat and rainfall throughout the summer.

GRAPE HARVEST BEGINS EARLY AMID SCORCHING HEAT

During the initial days of the red grape harvest at Fattoria del Colle (in the Orcia DOC appellation)—from September 3rd to 9th—the heat severely tested both the pickers and the vat cooling systems, with temperatures peaking at 36°C for four consecutive days. Then, on September 10th, autumn arrived: 44 mm of rain fell, and the daily high temperature dropped from 33°C to 23°C. This brought a sigh of relief to the cellar staff, who had been struggling to maintain fermentation temperatures for the white wines by using unprecedented amounts of dry ice. The red wines fermented at higher-than-usual temperatures, but nothing more could be done.

In nearby Sinalunga, a tornado tore the roofs off houses, destroyed sports facilities, and killed a woman.

GRAPE HARVES BEGINS IN MONTALCINO ON SEPTEMBER 14^TH

At our Casato Prime Donne vineyards in Montalcino, the harvest of Brunello grapes began on September 14th—almost in line with the usual schedule. We were among the last to start. The vineyards surround the winery on the cooler northern slope of Montalcino, situated on “cold” soils—meaning clay-rich ground that does not retain heat after sunset.…

L'articolo THE 2026 HARVEST HAS CONCLUDED sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini – Wine Destination – Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Sanchimento wine is at the heart of an experimental project shaping the future white wines and vineyards of Donatella Cinelli Colombini. The grapes used include Traminer and Sangiovese grown at Fattoria del Colle, alongside purchased Procanico and Grechetto—two native Tuscan varieties. Procanico is a Trebbiano variant with smaller clusters, while Grechetto is highly prized by our female winemakers for its exceptional quality potential. However, in southern Tuscany, it bears a name that strikes fear into the sales team: *pulcinculo*—(fleas in the bottom) a term derived from the small black dot found at the base of the berries.

SANCHIMENTO: AN ALMOST-ORANGE SUPERTUSCAN

To determine the best way to express the qualities of each grape variety, the winemaking process utilized a variety of vessels: two terracotta amphorae, a Clayver, a concrete egg-shaped tank, and, naturally, temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats. The vinification process was thus complex and bold—almost like an experimental laboratory.

Ultimately, only a portion of the white wine produced in 2025 was used to create Sanchimento. We sought to maintain stylistic consistency with the past while simultaneously enhancing quality—and we believe we succeeded.

The complex, refined style of this white wine stems primarily from the portion of grapes (about one-quarter) vinified in amphorae—”orange wine” style—meaning they were fermented in contact with the skins and without added yeasts.…

L'articolo DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI IGT SANCHIMENTO 2025 (ORGANIC) sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda

A wonderful article by Gianluca Atzeni in “Trebicchieri” explains the reason for the great enthusiasm surrounding “LOW-NAT” wines—a category with an alcohol content similar to beer, yet which is unequivocally wine. This enthusiasm has led to amendments to the production regulations for appellations such as Orvieto, Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, Prosecco, and Garda.

LOW-NAT WINES:  A WINNING FORMULA FOR EVERYONE

The fact is that temperatures are rising and consumer needs are shifting. There is a decline in overall consumption—including daily home consumption—alongside an increase in social drinking away from home. Coupled with this is a growing focus on health and waistlines.

Ultimately, high-quality wines—firmly rooted in tradition and their region of origin, yet fresher, more drinkable, and lower in alcohol—are emerging as the winning solution. They offer an alternative for health-conscious consumers who want to avoid weight gain but previously looked to “no/low-alcohol” drinks—products often made from low-quality wine that undergoes dealcoholizing and heavy processing.

Consortia such as Pinot Grigio DOC Delle Venezie, Prosecco DOC, Garda, and Orvieto are leading the move toward naturally lower-alcohol wines, emphasizing freshness, high quality, and sustainable production. After all, wellness and moderation are powerful trends among consumers.

ORVIETO AIMS FOR 10 %NATURAL ALCOHOL, WHILE GARDA TARGETS 9%.

…

L'articolo WHAT  ARE “LOW-NAT” WINES AND WHY I LIKE THEM sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Sandra Misale, recipient the 2026 Prima Donna award, is one of the world’s leading cancer scientists; she studies the KRAS gene, which enables tumours to replicate and metastasize. “She has a laboratory named after her at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, yet she was born in Calabria 41 years ago and completed her studies in Italy. If patients with pancreatic, lung, or colon cancer can have hope today, it is also thanks to her,” explains Donatella Cinelli Colombini, president of the award.

2026 CASATO PRIME DONNE JOURNALISM AWARDS GO TO CIANCIO AND CUOMO

The 2026 Casato Prime Donne Award ceremony will also feature two Italian journalists who have effectively promoted Montalcino and its wines: Francesca Ciancio and Andrea Cuomo.

Francesca Ciancio wins the award in the “Montalcino and I” category for her article “Montalcino Beyond Brunello,” published in “Wine and Travel”. Ciancio is a professional journalist, video maker, creator of TV and web formats, content creator for wine industry companies, sommelier, and an instructor in Wine & Food

Communication. She began her career in Naples with “traditional” journalism before moving to a major publishing group, Class Editori. From there, she transitioned toward a more contemporary style of journalism, eventually specializing in the food and wine sector online.

Her article on Montalcino demonstrates “how, alongside Brunello, there exists a mosaic of production and stories that helps define the territory’s agricultural identity.”…

L'articolo 2026 CASATO PRIME DONNE AWARD sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The time has come! For Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s estates—Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino and Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda—the most important time of the year has begun.

The 2026 season was marked by heavy winter rains that persisted into spring, disrupting the flowering stage. This situation had two effects: reducing the size of the developing grape clusters and building up water reserves in the soil.

THE 2026 WEATHER AND ITS IMPACT ON THE VINEYARD

The summer was scorching, with six heatwaves between July and August that kept daytime temperatures well above 25°C and prevented nighttime lows from dropping below 20°C.

This heat was punctuated by intense thunderstorms—notably on August 12, 20–21, and 25—which delivered a total of 65 mm of rain to the vineyards. It was an almost a tropical climate; yet, despite the African-style heat, the vines suffered no water stress. Consequently, veraison (the onset of ripening) was the slowest ever observed; the colour change in the berries is typically triggered by thirst—a sensation the vines did not experience this year. The vineyards reached harvest time in superb condition, boasting lush green canopies free of withered leaves. The clusters are perfectly healthy, loose, and pliable, featuring small berries, thick skins, and well-lignified seeds. Remarkably, there are no dried-out clusters or signs of sunburn.…

L'articolo 2026 HARVEST UNDERWAY sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

It is gratifying when one’s work inspires others and one’s choices are viewed favourably in an authoritative setting. That is why Gaia d’Ambrosio’s thesis filled us with pride. Gaia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Management from Luiss University in Rome, with Professor Cinzia Calluso—of the Chair of Business Organization within the Department of Business and Management—serving as her thesis supervisor. Below, I present the final section of her thesis, containing the conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS OF GAIA D’AMBROSIO’S THESIS

This thesis analysed how female leadership and gender diversity can be transformed into a strategic asset. Through a theoretical analysis and an empirical case study of Casato Prime Donne, it became evident that the presence of women in business acts as a tangible driver of innovation, differentiation, and competitiveness. The issue extends beyond mere social equity.

The literature review highlighted that women still face limitations—such as stereotypes, discrimination, and obstacles—in their professional lives. However, the study also revealed advantages associated with female leadership and with models that are more inclusive, collaborative, and relationship-oriented. These dynamics were observed firsthand through the case study of Casato Prime Donne, operating within the traditionally male-dominated wine industry.

FEMALE LEADERSHIP REVITALIZES ORGANIZATIONAL MODELS

Female leadership has the potential to redefine established organizational models and create new forms of value.…

L'articolo CASATO PRIME DONNE BECOMES THE SUBJECT OF A UNIVERSITY THESIS sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Di Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino 

Il post inizia con un pistolotto che mi apre il cuore: ogni volta che Robert Joseph cerca di parlare di Coca Cola o McDonald’s a chi si occupa di vino riceve insulti <<Perché mai dovresti dare ascolto a qualcuno della Coca-Cola o di McDonald’s? Sono entrambi prodotti e aziende orribili, e non hanno nulla a che fare con il vino>>. Quante volte è successo anche a me!
Il punto è che colossi industriali come Coca Cola o McDonald’s hanno esperti di livello stellare. Professionisti che il vino non può permettersi e imparare da loro permette di affrontare le sfide che il vino ha di fronte con soluzioni più nuove e originali. In altre parole copiare costa meno che creare soluzioni in autonomia ed è anche meno rischioso.
Ed ecco a voi la lezione.

LA LEZIONE DELLA COCA COLA: USA LE EMOZIONI E NON LE NOZIONI

Al 19° QSP Summit che ha avuto luogo a Porto, in Portogallo, Islam Eldessouky, vicepresidente globale di Coca-Cola ha presentato la strategia creativa e i contenuti messi in campo dalla sua azienda. Tre quarti e il miliardo di dollari nella sponsorizzazione dei Mondiali di Calcio con una parola chiave: emozioni.

Chi guarda le partite prova 31 emozioni diverse che sono condivise e interpretate nei video con modifiche e differenze a seconda della cultura dei diversi Paesi dove gli spot vengono trasmessi.…

L'articolo COCA COLA CI INSEGNA IL VALORE DELLE EMOZIONI sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

This is a unique opportunity to enjoy Rosso di Montalcino from two different vintages, both crafted from Sangiovese grapes grown in the organic vineyards at Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s Casato Prime Donne estate. The different bottle sizes give you the flexibility to choose the perfect occasion for each. It is an ideal wine for the final days of summer and the autumn season—perfect for aperitifs, lunches, dinners, and parties, whether for an intimate gathering with close friends or a lively celebration!

🎁 Bonus gift: An artistic resin “sail” sculpture by Riccardo Marzi, featuring real Sangiovese vine leaves. This handcrafted décor piece is made in the heart of Tuscany; the sails capture the poetry and magic of nature’s colours within their translucent form, each one housing a tiny natural microcosm inspired by our landscapes.

🍇 Offer of the Month – For Donatella Club Members

4 bottles of Rosso di Montalcino 2024 (0.75L) – PREVIEW RELEASE

1 Magnum of Rosso di Montalcino 2023 (1.5L)

1 resin “sail” sculpture featuring vine leaves from Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s vineyard, created by Riccardo Marzi—an expression of Tuscan creativity

🎯 Special price: €119.00 (instead of €156.50)

💡 Want to double the offer?

2 sets for €227.00 (instead of €313.00).

📅 Offer valid until: September 10^th 2026.…

L'articolo SPECIAL OFFER: A COMPARISON OF TWO ROSSO DI MONTALCINO! sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Immerse yourself in nature and rejuvenate while walking amidst vast landscapes at their most beautiful—when the vineyards are changing colour. Enjoy a white truffle hunt in the woods with dogs, followed by winery visits and tastings of Brunello, Chianti Superiore, and vintage Spumante. Explore the halls of a 16th-century villa, steeped in tales of romance and persecuted heretics. Take a short cooking class, sample extra virgin olive oil stored in ancient terracotta jars, and—for the romantics—enjoy two candlelit dinners featuring the Montalcino cuisine and white truffles. For those looking to pamper their skin, there is even a natural wellness area complete with a couples’ massage room and a vinotherapy bath.

DATES FOR THE 3 WHITE TRUFFLE WEEKENDS

• October 30 – November 1: coinciding with the “Festa del Primo Olio” (First Oil Festival) in Montisi
• November 6–8: coinciding with the “Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco delle Crete Senesi” (Crete Senesi White Truffle Market Exhibition) in San Giovanni d’Asso
• November 13–15: coinciding with the “Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco delle Crete Senesi” (Crete Senesi White Truffle Market Exhibition) in San Giovanni d’Asso

The truffle weekend is suitable for couples and families alike. There are no age limits; everyone can participate and have fun. Simply click here for the full program and to make a reservation.…

L'articolo PRIZED WHITE TRUFFLE WEEKENDS 2026 sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Shell Royster is an award-winning food journalist and photographer based in Atlanta. After studying at the International Center of Photography in New York, she began travelling the world, driven by passion and “the art and magic of transforming experiences into powerful images.” Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including “National Geographic Traveller”, “Afar”, “Kraft”, Oprah’s “Oh That’s Good” Food, and Qantas Airlines. She is, in short, a prominent figure—though I only realized this after her stay at Fattoria del Colle, when it was already too late to invite her to dinner. It was only when she sent me questions for an interview that I recognized her talent and began to look into her background. After all, asking questions is far more difficult than giving answers, and only someone with a true journalist’s instinct knows exactly what to ask.

SHELL ROYSTER’S INTERVIEW WITH DONATELLA

Here, then, is a brief excerpt from her long interview.

Shell Royster – Clemente Santi was the pioneer of Brunello. Could you tell us about some of his discoveries and the legacy he left for this wine?

Donatella – The Santi family consisted of scholars and pharmacists with ties to the University of Pisa and to France, where Louis Pasteur was making important discoveries regarding yeasts and bacteria.…

L'articolo SHELL ROYSTER sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination

The “sun issue” lies at the root of many changes in vineyard cultivation. The lowest wire of the metal trellis system supporting the vine during its growth phase has been raised about 10 cm off the ground to reduce the leaf surface area to 80 cm² per kilogram of grapes. The underlying concept is that active—meaning young—leaves transpire; consequently, the greater their number, the higher the plant’s water requirements. Summer trimming—the practice of cutting back part of the canopy—also differs significantly from the past. Comparing photos of today’s vineyards with those from twenty years ago reveals that, while they once resembled garden hedges, they now look more like wild bushes.

At Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino, grape-growers aim to limit shoot trimming; when it is done, they cut at a height of 2.30 meters from the ground, specifically beyond the 13th internode of the shoots. This allows the canopy to extend and shade the grape clusters, thereby improving photosynthesis and, consequently, grape quality. Vines do not react well to being cut, so timing is crucial to avoid a negative response. If trimming is unavoidable, it is best done just before the onset of intense heat, when the vine’s growth is naturally slowing down.

MANAGING THE LEAVES WITH THE NEW CLIMATE

Foliage management is one of the practices that has changed the most due to the new climate.…

L'articolo CASATO PRIME DONNE VINEYARDS (3) sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination

Cultivation at both Casato Prime Donne and Fattoria del Colle is entirely organic and has been certified since 2018. Paradoxically, in fact, to display the “green leaf” symbol, one must pay an external company to conduct inspections. Organic farming is a cultivation system that uses fewer chemicals than conventional methods, but—naturally—that alone is not enough; consequently, we adopt many practices from biodynamics. In summer, for instance, we use clays—specifically kaolin—to shield leaves and grape clusters from the sun. At other times, we use products derived from oranges, seaweed, and even propolis.

To combat certain pests, like spider mites, we buy predators from bio-factories. The first time I received the box containing the little bags of predators, I was afraid—thinking, “Watch, these things are going to jump on me”—but then I saw that they have no interest in humans. In some cases, such as with the vine moth, there is a mating disruption system that prevents them from reproducing… It’s a dirty trick to play on these insects, but for them, it’s better than insecticide.

MUCH MORE THAN ORGANIC

Our fertilizers are natural, too; however, after years of using mature organic manure, we switched to pelleted organic fertilizer. Although it costs more, it doesn’t cause grass to overrun the vineyards, leaving us free to decide exactly what grows beneath the vines.…

L'articolo VINEYARDS AT CASATO PRIME DONNE (2) sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

I order wine by the glass, especially if it’s an opportunity to try new things and share a glass with friends. However, restaurants often aren’t equipped for this type of service. They don’t have nitrogen systems or even oxygen extraction pumps. You might see bottles served by the glass displayed on the counter, corked, with the original cork, so besides being too warm, they’re almost certainly oxidized.

WINE BY THE GLASS IS ATTRACTIVE, BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO CHOOSE AND STORE IT

At a certain point, it’s worth making a sacrifice and ordering a whole bottle, hoping the manager will have a bag to take it home and finish it at leisure.

And yet, wine by the glass is on the rise. Many, like Andrea Gori, believe it is the best way to stem the decline in consumption. And, all things considered, it’s also very profitable for restaurants and wine shops. For still wines, a bottle is good for five glasses, and by the third glass, the manager has already pocketed the full retail price. Obviously, this is possible if the service is intelligent, offering the right wines: established brands alongside authentic rarities waiting to be discovered, but above all if the storage equipment is adequate.…

L'articolo FROM WINE BY THE GLASS TO OXIDIZED WINE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination

I began managing the vineyards at Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda and Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino in 1998, when my parents gifted me the two estates.

Across the two properties, there were about 25 hectares of old vineyards featuring many dead vines (gaps in the rows) and a multitude of grape varieties and Sangiovese clones—all mixed together and often of poor quality. Unfortunately, it is impossible to restore vineyards in such a state, so I had to uproot and replant them.

I adore centenarian vineyards and envy those who own them. The only old vineyard I managed to save is Sant’Antonio, planted in 1987; it is treated like a relic and tended to with great care… yet it is only forty years old.

I HAVE BEEN PLANTING VINEYARDS FOR 25 YEARS IN THE “GOLDEN CUP” OF BRUNELLO

The remaining vineyards at Casato Prime Donne have been replanted between 2000 and the present day. This process was carried out gradually—planting one or two hectares a year—and relied on a team of excellent vineyard workers led by two extraordinary, passionate “vignerons”: Efisio Luche and Davide Rinaldi. I recall that in 2015, when Denis Dubourdieu—the renowned and formidable professor from the University of Bordeaux’s oenology department—visited us and walked through every single vineyard, he said to Efisio: “Félicitations, vos vignobles sont impeccables.”…

L'articolo VINEYARDS AT CASATO PRIME DONNE (1) sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Until a few years ago, the problem for us Brunello producers was bottles getting too cold in winter; however, global warming has reversed the situation. Now, the focus is on cooling the wine, as no one wants to serve it at a temperature that makes it resemble herbal tea. That is why using ice buckets—a practice once reserved for whites and rosés—has become common for reds as well. And I am not referring only to young wines that emphasize freshness, but also to great reds meant for aging.

RENOWNED SOMMELIERS AND WINEMAKERS ALIKE AGREE ON THE PRACTICE OF CHILLING WINES

A delightful article by WineNews discusses this trend, featuring insights from prestigious sommeliers such as Paolo Porfidio (Excelsior Hotel Gallia, Milan), Sebastien Ferrara (Enrico Bartolini al Mudec, Milan), and Marco Reitano (La Pergola by Heinz Beck, Rome).

For instance, a Barolo or Brunello might be served at a “winter” temperature of around 17°C, whereas in summer, this can be lowered to 14°C. The wine becomes fresher and more drinkable, the alcohol is less perceptible, and the wine’s quality shines through more effectively. Winemakers also welcome this trend, which returns wine to “cellar temperature.” The only downside concerns wines with aggressive tannins; these can feel astringent at room temperature but become almost undrinkable when chilled.…

L'articolo RED WINE SERVED CHILLED IS BETTER sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

In Montalcino, on Saturday, September 19, the Casato Prime Donne Award honours Sandra Misale—a 41-year-old woman born in Calabria who now heads a laboratory bearing her name at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. If patients suffering from pancreatic or colon cancer, melanoma, or leukaemia can today hope for a more effective and less invasive treatment, they owe it in part to her.

The jury of the Casato Prime Donne Award—chaired by Donatella Cinelli Colombini and comprising Rosy Bindi, Anselma Dell’Olio, Anna Pesenti, Stefania Rossini, Anna Scafuri, and Daniela Viglione—selected Francesca Ciancio and Andrea Cuomo as the winners in the journalism categories for promoting Montalcino and its wines. Other awards went to nine young talents in the fields of music, art, jewellery making, and pastry arts.

SANDRA MISALE: PRIMA DONNA 2026

The 2026 theme of the Casato Prime Donne Award—”The Dream Is/and Reality”—comes to life in the story of Sandra Misale. Originally from Palmi on the Calabrian coast, she earned a degree in molecular biotechnology in Turin and subsequently worked at some of the world’s leading cancer research centres, including Harvard Medical School in Boston and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. She is currently at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where she runs a laboratory bearing her name: the Misale Lab.…

L'articolo SANDRA MISALE PRIMA DONNA 2026 sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

2012 “ARDITA” BY MARCO PIGNATTAI

Ardita depicts a life-sized Chianina ox—a historic animal of this land, where it once toiled pulling the very same plough the artist has placed behind the sculpture. The ox is crafted from a mirrored steel silhouette that reflects the surrounding countryside, appearing almost to become part of it. It stands beside the vineyard of the same name, on the hill overlooking Casato Prime Donne.

In 2005, the young architect Marco Pignattai—a native of Montalcino—designed the first Chianina ox, which was created from travertine, a stone typical of the Siena area. As is often the case with Land Art, the installation became part of the natural environment, shifting with the changing seasons and times of day… it became covered in moss and eventually collapsed to the ground, destroyed by the elements. Today, the original Ardita lies on the ground like a shadow of its twin—the one installed in its place—which is even capable of visually incorporating the original into its own image.

The quotation by Maria Carmela Lanzetta, Mayor of Monasterace, who defied the ‘Ndrangheta:

“Our eyes, dazzled by the colours of the sea in our native town and by the cypresses sailing upon the harmonious waves of the Tuscan hills.…

L'articolo CASATO PRIME DONNE A BRUNELLO WINERY AND MUCH MORE (2) sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestinations, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

There is a common belief that all wineries are alike. To some extent, this is true, as many do resemble one another; after all, the types of barrels and fermentation tanks used are much the same everywhere. Consequently, architects have sought to arrange them aesthetically to create a “wow factor,” even though this often comes at the expense of winemaking itself. While a uniform row of identical vats may look more harmonious, it is rarely practical to have identical quantities of grapes to fill them. In most cases, winemaking vessels of varying sizes are required to keep grapes from different vineyards, grape varieties, and stages of ripeness separate.

WINERIES MUST EACH TELL THEIR OWN STORY

If you combine the uniformity of wine vessels with the similarity of explanations regarding production processes within a given appellation, you can understand why many visitors decline to visit two wineries in the same area—unless one boasts vastly distinctive features, such as a medieval castle, or has topped Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” list.

During my wine tourism lectures, I enjoy showing images of wineries from a specific region and asking, “Where do you think this is?” In most cases, the answer is “Tuscany,” as it represents the most imitated rural landscape model in the world.…

L'articolo CASATO PRIME DONNE: A BRUNELLO WINERY—AND MUCH MORE (1) sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Let us continue sharing the little secrets of Fattoria del Colle that surprise and delight tourists—the details that make a stay there unique, distinctive, and memorable.

The villa’s historic rooms and its chapel house true art masterpieces. The owner, Donatella Cinelli Colombini, is an art historian by background and spent years specializing in medieval goldsmithing. She owns just one piece created by 15th-century Sienese goldsmiths: a copper processional cross. The other artworks are casually interspersed with everyday objects throughout the historic rooms of the villa, where she still resides. Donatella has always lived surrounded by masterpieces; she has no desire to put them on display, preferring simply to enjoy their presence around her. Nevertheless, she is well aware of the risks posed by frequent tourist visits and the threat of theft, which is why Fattoria del Colle is protected by security cameras and alarm systems.

The Hall of Coats of Arms, the billiard room, and the fireplace room retain some of their original furnishings and house many curiosities—such as the list of chickens, brooms, and eggs that each farmstead was required to supply, the alarm bell cord hidden inside the clock, and antique white porcelain from Richard (the company that later became Richard Ginori).…

L'articolo WHAT TOURISTS DON’T EXPECT AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE (2) sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino 

First-time visitors to Fattoria del Colle often say, “It’s beautiful here—I wasn’t expecting this.” They are delighted to find themselves in a genuine, significant place that is nonetheless unpretentious and welcoming. It is a unique setting that moves them, allowing them to experience the Tuscan countryside in all its simplicity as well as its extraordinary, historic beauty.

Yet we are amazed by their amazement. All our communication is completely authentic; we take photos or videos almost every day, and our social media followers see exactly what is going on—without filters, without staging, and without even rearranging objects or furniture. That is simply who we are, and yet tourists are surprised when they arrive. Perhaps we don’t know how to take photos. Or maybe the habit of presenting an idealized image online—better than reality—is so widespread that encountering people like us, who show themselves exactly as they are, comes as a surprise.

MANY SMALL SURPRISES AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE

Many people expect Fattoria del Colle to be smaller, but it is actually like a small country hamlet. Some international visitors—especially those referred by agencies—assume the word “fattoria” (farm) implies the presence of chicken or pig farming. Most expect a far more rustic setting where residents spend their days in bucolic idleness.…

L'articolo WHAT TOURISTS DON’T EXPECT AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE (1) sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

DONATELLA BEGINS WORKING AT FATTORIA DEI BARBI

Tired of playing the role of the supportive wife and doing the cooking, I decided to ask my mother, Francesca, if I could work for the family business; she assigned me the task of managing the dairy, the cured meats production, the restaurant, inbound tourism, and media relations.

Meanwhile, our daughter Violante was on the way. There hadn’t really been a conscious decision to have a baby, either. My husband, Carlo, kept putting it off because he didn’t want to change our life as a couple, but then we went to Mexico; I caught “Montezuma’s Revenge”—traveller’s diarrhoea—which shifted my cycle, and I ended up pregnant. After a perfect pregnancy, Violante was born in the small hospital in Montalcino. She is the only member of the family born in the land of Brunello.

I arrived at the hospital at eight o’clock, and half an hour later, Violante was born. While most newborns are wrinkled, she was so beautiful she looked almost unreal. At first, she just ate and slept, but then our nights became a nightmare. When she finally slept for eight hours straight at the age of two, Carlo and I rushed to her crib to see what had happened.…

L'articolo DONATELLA BEGINS WORKING AT FATTORIA DEI BARBI sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Almost all the best decisions of my life were made on impulse. Including the decision to get married. Carlo Gardini and I had had a solid relationship for years. He had graduated with honours in Economics and Business, then chosen to join the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, entering a management training program that took him all over Italy to learn about every sector of the business. In 1978, shortly before the August 15^th celebration, Carlo called the personnel department to find out his next posting; he was told that, starting October 1st, he was to begin a nine-month stint in Lille, France.

A DECIDEDLY UNCONVENTIONAL MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

“My parents won’t let me come with you,” I said, thinking of the rigid formality of my own home. “We have to get married.” He hadn’t expected it and remarked, “How am I supposed to tell my parents?” The proposal itself had already been unconventional, but Carlo’s reaction went a step further and made me furious. Fortunately, he quickly pulled himself together, and we began a mad dash to get married and leave together. My mother refused to cancel her work commitments, so we were forced to move the wedding to a weekday.…

L'articolo DONATELLA: THE UNCONVENTIONAL WIFE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Many refer to the twentieth century as the “Short  Century”—a term coined by British historian Eric Hobsbawm—due to the rapid pace of change; yet, in the early 1960s, it felt as though one were living in a nineteenth-century bubble. It was a world precariously balanced between the lingering past, the economic boom that was emptying the countryside, and social rituals that seemed destined to last forever—only to be swept away by the events of 1968.

As a young girl, I used to spend summers in Montalcino playing with the children of the neighbouring farmers, who would run around barefoot. In winter, back in Florence, boys and girls attended separate classes at the Ponte a Mensola elementary school; we girls wore white smocks with pink bows at our collars. Traffic and crime were low, and we children would walk home alone.

THE SIXTIES: BALANCING FORMALITY AND CHANGE

I remember my grandmother Giuliana’s persistence in teaching my brother and me proper table manners, as well as her silver cutlery—which discouraged my classmates from visiting, as they would complain, “It’s so heavy I can’t eat.” This formal propriety wasn’t limited to my home, Montalcino, or Tuscany. I recall traveling to Valence, in Burgundy, when I was seventeen as part of an exchange program organized by the Siena Rotary Club; at my host family’s home, they would dine in formal evening wear.…

L'articolo DONATELLA AS A CHILD sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Donatella’s house in Gozo boasts a breathtaking view of the strait that separates the island from Malta. This stretch of sea is frequented by ferries, cruise ships, fishermen, and yachts… sailing around the small island of Comino, with its romantic blue lagoon and the tower where The Count of Monte Cristo was filmed.

THREE FLOORS WITH A VIEW

From the roof terrace, the view is so beautiful that everyone stops to relax and regenerate. It was precisely this panorama that convinced Carlo, Donatella’s husband, to buy the house twenty years ago. At the time, the area was almost abandoned, and the old houses nearby along Triq il-Kuncizzjoni were in ruins. But precisely for this reason, the place seemed more authentic and less touristy. It is a small village that grew surrounding the Church of the Immaculate Conception, along the road that leads from the village of Qala to Hondoq Bay. All around are small fields, vegetable gardens, and orange groves, and the houses are built with a local yellowish stone.

Donatella and her daughter Violante’s house has a small internal courtyard with a well and plants. In the original plan, the ground floor was intended to be the “winter home,” with a kitchen, living room, study, and bathroom.…

L'articolo DONATELLA’S HOUSE IN GOZO sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

This year, Fattoria del Colle is hosting 17 weddings, all different and all beautiful.

Some are minimalist, others boasted spectacular floral arrangements and displays.

We’ve had couples with photographers and set designers, Instagrammers, videographers, and a whole repertoire of sun glasses, dresses, and decorations to create images to post online. Others asked for absolute privacy, even from their guests, to preserve the intimacy of the most beautiful day of their love.

WHY WEDDINGS AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE ARE ALL UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT

There are many ways to organize your wedding in a large venue with diverse and evocative spaces for the ceremony, aperitifs, dinner, cake cutting, and the closing party. At Fattoria del Colle, all couples have left happy and feeling like they’ve experienced a unique moment, uniquely theirs and unlike any other.

Of course, there are some places no one wants to miss out on, like the panoramic terrace above the winery. The Corten railing, reminiscent of the oak trees of the Val d’Orcia, frames a landscape of extraordinary beauty, and all newlyweds choose it for the ceremony or aperitifs. Another must-have, no one wants to miss out on, is the barn, restored a few years ago. The large windows feature state-of-the-art glass that keeps out sound, so you can dance until the wee hours without disturbing anyone.…

L'articolo FATTORIA DEL COLLE’S WEDDINGS IN 2026 sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

This offer combines two wines made exclusively with Sangiovese, two wines for summer dinners: a young Brunello for roast meats, aged cheeses, or flavorful pasta dishes, and a Spumante Rosé Metodo Classico for fish, chicken salads, fresh cheeses, pizza, and relaxing moments with friends.

Two great wines that transform every sip into a special moment, rejuvenating your taste buds and rejuvenating your soul.

With these two wines, your summer parties will have true Tuscan style!

 WHAT THE WINE CRITICS SAY

Brunello di Montalcino 2021-

93/100 VINOUS BY ANTONIO GALLONI

93/100 WINE ADVOCATE

92/100 JAMES SUCKLING

91/100 WINE SPECTATOR

Spumante Metodo Classico 2020

94/100 WINE ENTHUSIAST

90/100 VINOUS BY ANTONIO GALLONI

THE OFFER INCLUDES TWO EXPRESSIONS OF 100% SANGIOVESE

BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2021

Donatella Cinelli Colombini‘s ancestors owned Casato Prime Donne already at the end of the 16th century. In addition to farming, they went there for hunting and honeymoons. The property remained in the family for centuries, and in recent decades it belonged to Donatella’s grandmother and then to her mother, then to Donatella who will pass it on to her daughter Violante. This female succession makes it the ideal location for the Prime Donne project. The winery is the first in Italy with an all-female staff and funds the award dedicated to Montalcino and female talent.…

L'articolo Offer: Pure Sangiovese for your summer parties! sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda

The new Toscana Lovers store opens in Florence, in the Palazzo dei Canonici di Santa Maria del Fiore, on the left side of Piazza del Duomo.

TUSCANA LOVERS IN FLORENCE IN A HISTORIC AND BEAUTIFUL LOCATION

The monumental entrance features columns and 19th-century statues celebrating Arnolfo di Cambio, who designed the Duomo in 1296, and Filippo Brunelleschi, who designed the dome (1436), one of the most extraordinary works of the Renaissance. The Palazzo dei Canonici was built in the early 19th century by demolishing pre-existing buildings. Inside, the painted ceiling and walls were created for the visit of Pope Pius IX in 1857. After consecrating four Tuscan bishops, the Holy Father stopped here to receive the clergy and have his foot kissed. This visit also coincided with the laying of the cornerstone of the new façade of Santa Croce, one of the great religious projects of 19th-century Florence.

A space that for years housed the Duomo ticket office, so beautiful that it has required furnishings specifically designed by interior designer Lorella Salvi and handcrafted by the Siena-based firm OMIF. The walls, ceilings, and doors are protected as historical monuments. The result is extraordinarily elegant, as if it had always been there.…

L'articolo TOSCANA LOVERS OPENS IN FLORENCE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The grapes were perfectly ripe but small, with thick, quite hard skins. Therefore, after removing the stems, the grapes were crushed. The vinification was the most delicate ever, and after fermentation, the newly born wine remained on the grape skins in closed vats much longer than usual. At the same time, the arrival of the new barrels was brought forward so that the 2022 wine could be transferred to oak containers in November.

These seemingly small changes are actually very important and able to smoothen the tannins that were abundant in the wine. The result is a powerful, harmonious, and pleasant IGT Toscana Il Drago e le 8 Colombe, a wine that beautifully captures the Tuscan countryside and the hot, dry vintage in which it was born. A wine with great personality that pairs well with Tuscan cuisine, Asian dishes, and brunches featuring cold cuts and cheeses.

IL DRAGO E LE 8 COLOMBE: A WINE DEDICATED TO MEN IN THE WOMEN’S WINERY

Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s wineries—Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino and Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda—are the first in Italy to have an entirely female staff. The cellar workers, winemakers, sales staff, and tourist reception staff are all women. But there are important male figures in the company and in Donatella’s family, and she felt the need to dedicate a wine to them: Il Drago e le 8 Colombe.…

L'articolo IL DRAGO E LE 8 COLOMBE IGT TOSCANA 2022 sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The summer of 2022 had been very hot and dry, but thanks to a storm in August, the grapes arrived at harvest with ideal analytical parameters. The grapes had very particular characteristics: small bunches, miniature berries, and very thick skins. For this reason, the vinification was extremely delicate, followed by a long maceration, and the maturation in wood began earlier than usual. These attentions allowed the production of an intense yet velvety Leone Rosso with good acidity.

THE LEONE ROSSO (RED LION) IS THE RAMPANT LION FROM THE COAT OF ARMS OF DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI’S ANCESTORS

The Fattoria del Colle, home to the vineyards and cellar that produce this Leone Rosso, was built in 1592 by the Socini or Sozzini family. This was an important Sienese family that, in the 16th century, was among the protagonists of the Protestant Reformation in Italy. “The ideas and writings of Lelio (1525-1562) and Fausto (1539-1604) Socino are studied in philosophy books at school. As a student, I was very proud to have such important ancestors,” says Donatella Cinelli Colombini. “Important but persecuted like all “freethinkers” who criticized the Church. And indeed, they lost everything.” “Fattoria del Colle was repurchased in 1919 by my great-grandfather Livio Socini, almost by chance,” Donatella continues to explain. “He fell in love with this place and restored it to its former splendour, just as I have tried to do.”…

L'articolo LEONE ROSSO ORCIA DOC 2022 sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Fine wines are investment wines, managed like stocks, diamonds, or stamps. They’re wines that aren’t drunk but rather stored in safes to be resold at a higher price. This market is currently experiencing significant difficulties, especially for French wines, which traditionally dominate the market.

THE DRINKS BUSINESS IN SEARCH OF THE DARK EVIL OF FINE WINES

The Drinks Business interviewed some of the leading experts in this sector, first and foremost Liv-ex, a British portal similar to Nasdaq. The latter provides real-time charts, technical analysis, components, and quotes for stocks, while Liv.ex does the same for fine wines. I quote Max Lalondrelle’s exact words: “There’s something fundamentally wrong with the way we sell fine wines right now.”

What is this mistake? Those who buy a wine on reservation and then see it arrive on the market at a lower price get angry and realize that paying in advance isn’t worth it. This is why the speculative system has broken down and investments have fallen.

END OF THE SPECULATIVE BUBBLE, GENERATIONAL CHANGE, AND FEWER RICH WILLING TO SPEND SO MUCH

The point is that many investors have a good number of bottles of fine wines in their cellars—safes while the number of investors willing to buy them has declined.…

L'articolo HOW THE FINE WINES MARKET IS CHANGING sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Today, critics are no longer the only ones who pass judgment on wines; there are sommeliers, wine educators, influencers, retailers, algorithms, and ordinary consumers who post their opinions on portals. Furthermore, many consumers, especially young ones, prioritize values ​​such as sustainability, authenticity, and wine’s ability to narrate a story rather than “quality.” This is an abstract concept that perhaps less closely aligns with their need to represent themselves through what they eat, what they wear, or the style of their place of residence.

For this reason, “the authority once placed in a single score appears increasingly unstable,” writes Konstantin Baum, Germany’s youngest Master of Wine. The notes below are largely taken from his WineSearcher article, which I encourage you to read.

THE BIRTH AND INFLUENCE OF WINE SCORES

In this evolving landscape, the value of wine scores is also changing.

The success of the scores out of one hundred lies in its simplicity. The numbers are quick to understand and reduce the complexity of wine—regions, grape varieties, appellations, vintages—to something simple that needs no explanation and helps consumers avoid making mistakes in their choices. This need has become even more important with the advent of e-commerce.…

L'articolo ARE WINE SCORES STILL USEFUL? sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Wine Spectator is the most widely read and followed magazine among collectors and high-spending wine lovers around the world. Achieving a good score in this magazine means gaining entry to the top restaurants and wine shops. Achieving this every year, as happens with Donatella Cinelli Colombini‘s wines, is a sign of consistent quality that only the best wineries can achieve.

The critic tasting the Brunello and other Tuscan wines is Bruce Sanderson, senior editor of Wine Spectator, who has directed the magazine’s tastings for years.

94/100 BRUNELLO PRIME DONNE 2021

This splendid Brunello has received very high scores throughout the international press: 95/100 Wine Advocate-Robert Parker, 94/100 VINOUS.

Sanderson’s description is precise and evocative. The advice is to wait to drink it, but there are also tips on how to drink it now: <<In this red, aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and iron are framed by spicy notes. Balanced, although the dense tannins take time to integrate. There seems to be a hint of new oak, which integrates with aeration, so decant if you want to enjoy it young. Optimal from 2029 to 2047>>. 323 cases produced. 85 cases imported. – Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

Summary obtained:

93/100 BRUNELLO 2021

The 2021 Brunello also has a very detailed and evocative tasting description. “A mature style, with notes of plum, blackberry, and blackcurrant, iron, tobacco, and menthol that add interest as it becomes more compact on the robust finish.…

L'articolo WINE SPECTATOR  ON THE BRUNELLOS 2021 AND RISERVA 2020 sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

THE GIFT BOX CONTAINS 3 SMALL 100ML (USA 3,3 oz -UK 3,5 oz)  CANS OF EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, A PERFECT PRESENT

Moraiolo, elegant and delicate. It pairs perfectly with both raw and cooked vegetables, fish, and fresh stretched-curd cheeses, such as mozzarella.

Correggiolo, intense and structured. Its intensity calls for equally bold flavours, such as legume soups, grilled or stewed red meats, game, and mushrooms.

Traditional mixed, harmonious and balanced. Ideal with vegetable soups, bruschetta, crostini, and red meats.

6 100ML (USA 3,3 oz -UK 3,5 oz) CANS OF TRADITIONAL EVO OLIVE OIL

These cans can be thought of as small gifts for friends, but also as place cards for an important dinner. Or you can take them with you on a picnic dedicated to nature and natural things.

Also perfect to be served at the picnic is our Spumante Metodo Classico Brut Rosé

SPUMANTE BRUT ROSE’

Bubbles bring joy! This is an excellent Tuscan-style sparkling wine designed to accompany a meal. Made from organically grown Sangiovese grapes, it comes from a small, exclusive series of 1,200

bottles, designed for discerning wine lovers seeking something new. It aims high and plays on elegance and flavour. Suitable for aperitifs, savoury pastries, and throughout the meal when delicate dishes are served just like during a picnic

Vintage 2020 *****

• 94 Wine Enthusiast
• 90 Vinous – Eric Guido

🎁As a gift, included in the offer a free sparkling wine stopper, personalized with the Donatella Cinelli Colombini winery logo, in case the bottle does not get finished.…

L'articolo OFFER: 2025 EVO OIL TO GIFT AND BUBBLES TO DRINK! sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

The most cautious opinion comes from Michael Godel, a great connoisseur of Brunello and Tuscan winemaking in general, who tasted the 2019 Orcia Doc Cenerentola in November 2024 when it was “better to continue waiting” as he himself wrote.

ORCIA DOC, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WINE IN THE WORLD

The other tastings were conducted in March 2026, and the score rises to 93-94 points. David Lawrason has words of high praise: “The nose is extraordinary, very expressive, with complexity from maturation and a mix of red and black fruits… It’s full-bodied, with pronounced acidity and a notable warmth from the 15% alcohol. The tannins are quite firm and drying, but not green. The length is excellent, verging on exceptional.”

Wow, what a beautiful comment.

Sara d’Amato—an ecologist, writer, and highly experienced sommelier—also delivers a thrilling description. “The result is elegant and generous, both in aromas and on the palate. The oak is expertly integrated, allowing fruit and spice to unfold harmoniously. The tannins are ripe and enveloping, in line with the growing sensation of warmth provided by the 15% alcohol in the finish, which offers excellent length.”

The 94/100 rating comes from John Szabo, Canada’s first Master Sommelier and author of the book Volcanic Wines, which helped the world rediscover the uniqueness and charm of wines born near smoking mountains.…

L'articolo CENERENTOLA CHARMS CANADA sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

In 2014, Roberto Benigni was the protagonist of a RAI program entitled Ten Commandments. One of his most famous speeches is the one on happiness, broadcast on December 1st.

The central line is this: “Make others happy. I said ‘happy’, not ‘better’. Don’t try to make others better. There’s only one person you should try to make better: yourself. You have to make others happy, and to make someone happy, you have to be happy yourself! Be happy, be happy, and become the adult you wish you had by your side when you were a child.”

According to Roberto Benigni, happiness is a gift and an achievement. All men and women are born happy, but if they don’t work on themselves to be better, they lose their happiness and, with it, the ability to make others happy.

A statement so simple it seems banal, but it’s actually profound and particularly connected to Easter. Even those who don’t believe in Jesus as the Son of God must recognize that accepting torture and death for the love of others is something enormous.

“Love one another as I have loved you,” says Jesus, and it’s the same phrase that Benigni uses: “Make others happy.” The verb is different, but the meaning is the same, because love given generously makes those around us happy.…

L'articolo HAPPY EASTER sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

10 VINTAGES OF ORCIA DOC CENERENTOLA TOGETHER WITH FASHION, DESIGN, EVENTS, SONGS AND FILMS FROM THE SAME YEARS TO DISCOVER HOW WINE IS CULTURE AND A MIRROR OF HUMANITY

Donatella Cinelli Colombini and her daughter Violante transformed the presentation of the 2020 Orcia DOC Riserva Cenerentola into a true workshop centred on the concept of “wine is culture.” A new and stimulating experience that engaged 60 guests, including journalists and industry professionals.

We’ll try to understand if wine changes its interpretation of the vineyard like a great piece of music. To illustrate the concept with an example, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 has a different character whether the orchestra is conducted by Toscanini, von Karajan, or Muti. The score is the same, just as the grapes and terroir are the same, but the final result changes based on an interpretation of the historical moment.

On Monday, March 23, at the Fattoria del Colle di Trequanda, for the first time, the wine will be tasted alongside the civilization in which it was born, an experience that will likely open new horizons for wine storytelling.

The tasting includes 10 vintages: 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 of Orcia DOC Cenerentola, and the new 2020 Riserva, under the impeccable guidance of Ilaria Lorini, the first woman to be crowned Best Italian Sommelier (AIS) in 2025. From the first Italian wineries with an all-female staff, one could not expect anything different.

WINE IS CULTURE, AND WE’LL PROVE IT

The new aspect of the March 23^rd tasting of Orcia DOC Cenerentola comes when information on the climate, winemaking, and maturation of each vintage is complemented by the historical, musical, design, fashion, sports, and film events that characterize those same months.…

L'articolo PREVIEW OF THE ORCIA DOC RISERVA CENERENTOLA sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda

I’m talking about events that occurred about fifty years ago. Federico Fellini often came to my mother’s winery in Montalcino, thanks to our mutual friendship with Mario Guidotti, a journalist and cultural promoter. After the first, more formal visits, Italy’s greatest director began arriving unannounced, like a member of the family.

The problem was that, often, my parents were away, and I had to welcome Fellini alone. I was very young and lived a very bourgeois and decidedly provincial existence between Montalcino and Siena. I was used to meeting intellectuals and famous people because my family had always had that kind of association, but Federico Fellini was decidedly in another league.

That man was a legend, a world-renowned genius with five Academy Awards. His fame was so immense that it would have intimidated people far more skilled than me. I was incredibly nervous in front of him, my hands were sweating, I couldn’t sit still, and above all, I could only say a few polite words, but I didn’t know how to communicate with him; I felt like I had nothing interesting to say. What a shame!

Federico Fellini and his wife Giulietta Masina would come to Tuscany for the beneficial “waters” in Chianciano.…

L'articolo FEDERICO FELLINI AND DONATELLA sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini

It all began while my husband Carlo was in the hospital after falling down the stairs and undergoing an operation that left him almost immobile in bed, experiencing a real ordeal.

During that sad time, I met Stefania Magnani, president of the Misericordia di Sinalunga, so as to volunteer. She directed me to two activities: preparing food parcels and raising funds to finance the purchase of two ambulances. At the time, the Misericordia needed to replace two ambulances that had already travelled more than 250,000 kilometres and they had only €10,000 in cash. The president was extremely worried and was considering buying two used ambulances to keep them going for a few years.

THE MISERICORDIA DI SINALUNGA LACKING TWO AMBULANCES

A local association called the Misericordia di Sinalunga is responsible for the emergency medical service (118) for a vast area that also includes a stretch of the A1 highway, but is far from hospitals. Therefore, transporting injured, heart attack patients, or seriously ill patients for many kilometres in vehicles with sub-par heating and shock absorbers means they arrive at the hospital even more shaken. Unfortunately, the health system reimburses ambulance travel, but the purchase of the vehicles is paid for by charity.

When the doctors told us that Carlo was dying, I called the President of the Misericordia to arrange the funeral and told her, “I will also think of you and the ambulance.…

L'articolo 2 AMBULANCES FOR CARLO sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda

When I first went to the UK, I bought a kilt that I wore for years. I was 17, and in Italy, especially in Siena, it wasn’t possible to buy anything similar. There were pleated skirts with tartan patterns, but not in the same wool and not with such beautiful designs.

Over the next 50 years, the industrial production of clothing, food, and originally handcrafted objects, as well as globalization, led to a progressive diffusion of “ethnic products” in world markets. Kilts could also be purchased in Tuscany and later online, at prices much cheaper than my first tartan skirt. But the quality was no longer the same, nor was the charm of an authentic object purchased in the production area.

Once upon a time, the greatest appeal of travel was the possibility of immersing oneself in a reality different from one’s own, where the sights, lifestyle, sounds, flavours, and smells allowed one to discover a civilization whose artistic monuments were the jewels of its crown.

HOW GLOBALIZATION AND OVERTOURISM HAVE KILLED LOCAL PRODUCTS

Today, overtourism, hit-and-run shopping, the transformation of destinations, encrusted with shops selling fake souvenirs, and living like tourists instead of residents… has led to an erosion of local identity.…

L'articolo THE VALUE OF “ONLY THERE” IN TOURISM sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda

In Montalcino, as in Barolo, there are many wine producers born into farming families who have become international winemaking stars. I’ve always wondered whether this growth was the result of production spurred by innovation or commercial insight… or whether it arose from the ability to interpret the gifts of the land like a sculptor does with marble.

BEING A GREAT PRODUCERS MEANS PRODUCING GREAT QUALITY OR GREAT NUMBERS

How does the transformation from grape grower to successful entrepreneur happen?

Obviously, the great winemakers—and I’m thinking of people like Bepi Quintarelli, Alessandro Mori from Il Marroneto, or Elena Fucci—raise attention to their territory with their splendid wines, setting an example and opening the market to other producers as well.

Their success seems to be tied to their personal talent and their ability to make it visible.

Then there are the successful producers who transform from grape growers into great entrepreneurs, and this is what I’d like to focus on.

In books, the transformation from artisan to entrepreneur is described as the shift from making things to managing production and planning long-term strategies, “from working in the lab to working on the lab.” Translating this concept to wine, we could say that a wine producer becomes an entrepreneur when he stops thinking only about the vineyard and begins to think in terms of project, market, and value.…

L'articolo WHAT TURNS A GRAPE GROWER INTO A GREAT WINE PRODUCER? sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda

As always, Monica Larner, editor of the Robert Parker- Wine Advocate, impresses with her above-average journalistic professionalism. She’s not just a taster, as many of her colleagues are; she’s above all a journalist capable of narrating wine regions and explaining their evolution over time. Reading her helps us understand the appellations, of which she is one of the most faithful and profound narrators. This professional trait derives from her education at Boston University and then New York University, as well as from her experience in the editorial offices of three major newspapers: La Repubblica, the International Herald Tribune, and Corriere della Sera.

A more than solid background which, in more recent years, has been combined with an excellent tasting ability that places Monica Larner among the best wine critics in the world.

93/100 BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2021

Wearing its maturity with confidence, the organic Brunello di Montalcino 2021 Donatella Cinelli Colombini expresses dark fruit, black cherry, and hints of crème de cassis in a style that tends to be richer and more concentrated than much of the current Montalcino wine scene. Although the wine initially presents itself as modern or contemporary, it ultimately resolves with a sleek elegance and a harmonious progression that remains true to the character of the Sangiovese grape.…

L'articolo MONICA LARNER: EXCELLENT SCORES FOR THE NEW BRUNELLOS sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The Ardita vineyard is one of Montalcino‘s finest. Every year, in any climate, it produces perfect grapes with small clusters and berries and uniform ripening.

It was planted in 2002 at 225 meters above sea level in a Plio-Quaternary soil with a prevalence of clay and marine sand. It had a slow start and is still not very vigorous; in fact, it almost never requires green harvesting because it spontaneously produces about a kilo of grapes per plant.

Like all the world’s great vineyards, the Ardita vineyard requires very little attention; in other words, it “does everything itself” thanks to a particular terroir. Even in the cellar, the wine produced from the Ardita vineyard requires no human intervention because it is flawless; therefore, it simply needs to be carefully stored in the finest quality barrels.

For this reason, the tasters who choose Brunello Prime Donne through blind tastings of the estate’s entire production often prefer the powerful, velvety structure of the wine from the Ardita vineyard. In the past, they requested it be aged in barrels (15-20 hl), but now they are also fascinated by the character of 5-7 hectoliter tonneaux, especially when steam-bent.

THE 2021 VINTAGE IN MONTALCINO

The 2021 harvest will be remembered as the longest and most expensive because the grapes were selected bunch by bunch in the vineyards. Due to an Arctic current that swept across Europe at the end of April, a large portion of the buds were scorched by the frost, while those that were still closed opened late, several days later.…

L'articolo BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO PRIME DONNE 2021 ORGANIC AND SINGLE VINEYARD sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

A tribute to women who make a difference

An offer designed to celebrate femininity in wine, the strength of women who innovate, and the courage of those who have paved new paths towards gender equality. Two iconic wines, born from a unique winery in Italy: the first with an entirely female staff.

This selection is designed to:

• 🎁 Give to a special woman, as a sign of esteem and recognition
• 💪 Celebrate women who break down barriers, in work, in society, in life
• 🕊 Remember and honour all those who have paved the way in the fight for gender equality

Each bottle contains a story of commitment, talent and female passion

🍇 Offer of the Month – For Donatella Club Members

3 bottles of Brunello Prime Donne 2021 and 3 bottles of Cenerentola Orcia DOC 2021

2 bottles of each wine with its own label

And one bottle of each type with a customizable label

+2 shopping bags, 2 tissue papers, and 2 package sealers customized with the Donatella Cinelli Colombini logo

Price: 234,00 euro instead of  268,50 euro

For those who wish to double

459 euro instead of 537,00

🍇 For all other friends

3 bottles of Brunello Prime Donne 2021 and 3 bottles of Cenerentola Orcia DOC 2021

2 bottles of each wine with its own label

And one bottle of each type with a customizable label

+2 shopping bags, 2 tissue papers, and 2 package sealers customized with the Donatella Cinelli Colombini logo

📅 Offer valid until: February 23rd, 2026

Price: 249,00 euro instead of 268,50 euro

For those who wish to double

485 euro instead of 537,00

🛒 How to order

Just one click and the wine arrives directly to your home!…

L'articolo An offer of “Wines for Her”, and not just for her! sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, wineseacher, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda

Do you know what dyslexia is? It’s a neurodiversity, meaning a different way of processing information, resulting in emotional, sensory, and cognitive perception in relation to the environment that differs from that of “normal” people.

In other words, I and other dyslexics don’t have a deficit, but we are different. My mother was dyslexic, I am, and so is my daughter Violante. Dyslexia is hereditary.

THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY DYSLEXIA

When I was little, dyslexia wasn’t widely known in Italy, and I was considered a bit stupid because I read and wrote worse than my classmates. With my proverbial tenacity, I began to frantically read two books a week, and this practice helped me enormously in school.

In addition to the well-known difficulty distinguishing left from right, whereby d-b p-q e-a are the same letters for us, dyslexia has other drawbacks: where driving is on the left, we dyslexics become dangerous drivers. We don’t hear the sequence of sounds, so I only understand music after listening to a song dozens of times. But even the sounds within words and the sequence of words are difficult. This is why many dyslexics, and I among them, learn foreign languages ​​with enormous difficulty.…

L'articolo I AM DYSLEXIC sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination 

Wine tourists flock to our wineries at Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino and Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda from April to November, but the peak season is September and October. However, the wineries are open even in winter, though reservations are absolutely essential as the reception service is by request only.

The few visitors we do have have tangible advantages. They are pampered, and if they want to stay a few more minutes, they aren’t pressured by le next tourists.

IN JANUARY YOU CAN BE THE FIRST TO TASTE THE NEW BRUNELLO

For us Brunello producers, the new vintage begins on January 1st, so wine lovers who visit my cellars in the first month of the new year can sample and take home an exclusive new wine to offer to friends, since only a few journalists have already tasted it. Typically, at this stage, Brunello is still slightly closed, like any wine destined for long aging, but it has greater energy, offering a beautiful tasting experience for those who drink it.

FROM NOVEMBER TO JANUARY, NEW BARRELS ARRIVE IN THE CELLAR

The winter months are the time for racking. The old barrels leave the cellar and the new ones move in. It’s a bit like moving house!…

L'articolo WHAT A WINE TOURIST SEES IN MY WINERY IN WINTER sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The three Toscana Lovers stores in Siena, Bagno Vignoni, and Cortona are owned by Casato SRL, a company wholly owned by Donatella Cinelli Colombini and her daughter Violante. Casato SRL also owns the 20 hectares of vineyards and the Casato Prime Donne winery buildings in Montalcino, where Donatella produces Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino, which she exports to 44 foreign markets.

HISTORY OF THE TOSCANA LOVERS  CHAIN OF STORES

“The first Toscana Lovers shop opened in Siena in 2006, when I finished my first term as the city’s tourism councillor,” says Donatella Cinelli Colombini. “I thought I wouldn’t be re-elected. My husband, Carlo, owned a beautiful shop in Siena’s historic centre, and I asked him to vacate it so we could start a business selling Tuscan objects handcrafted according to our traditions.

I didn’t expect the mayor to call me back to serve as councillor, and when he did, I asked him, ‘But what am I going to do with the shop now? I’ve also bought the furniture.’ He replied, ‘Open it, but don’t make any requests to the city.’ That’s why the shop remained without a sign for five whole years. It was during my time as tourism councillor that I realized that craftsmanship is the true barrier to the decline of tourism, from fake souvenirs to industrial imitations—often imported from abroad—of traditional products.”…

L'articolo TOSCANA LOVERS: THE SHOPS FOR THE BEST TUSCAN CRAFTSMANSHIP sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Alessia Bianchi, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, winedestination, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino, Donatella Cinelli Colombini

What determines the quality of extra virgin olive oil? It depends almost equally on nature and man. The terroir (soil and microclimate) determines the quality of the oil by 50%, the cultivar (i.e., its cultivation and harvesting method) by 25%, and finally, the mill and storage methods by 25%.

The Trequanda area and its olive oil production have been among the most renowned and appreciated for centuries. It is a small territory with abundant calcareous soils, its altitude is over 400 meters, its climate is breezy, and its distance from the sea means olive fly rarely reaches it. This area is particularly suited to olive cultivation, and the oil produced here is of the highest quality. Our production is entirely organic. Fattoria del Colle has 6 hectares of olive groves with approximately 1,600 trees grown in VASE (vase-trained). The olive varieties are Frantoio-Correggiolo, Moraiolo, and a few Olivastra.

The olives are hand-picked in October and November while still green. They are then stored in perforated crates and transported to nearby mills. Since 2025, we have been researching and differentiating the pressing process at three different mills in the area, with the aim of increasing the quality and accentuating the oil’s distinctive characteristics

FATTORIA DEL COLLE ORCIAIA PROJECT

The new oil storage room was created inside two wine vats from the early 20th century.…

L'articolo EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL FROM FATTORIA DEL COLLE (1) sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The very small production run limits this wine’s audience to connoisseurs seeking exclusive bottles. In short, it’s a rare gem.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for over a year,” said Donatella Cinelli Colombini, without hiding her affection for the Cenerentola wine, which she considers one of the greatest successes of her professional life. “I believed in the native Foglia Tonda grape variety when it was on the verge of extinction, and I followed step by step the research for the right way to grow, harvest, and age it. I found winemakers who love it as much as I do—Valérie Lavigne and Barbara Magnani—and I made the Cenerentola DOC Orcia wine a true princess of winemaking,” she says, referring to the international ratings that award it scores between 91 and 94 out of 100.

“Producing an Orcia Riserva means showcasing Cenerentola’s excellent aging potential. The Sangiovese and Foglia Tonda grape varieties are genetically father and son. The former gives the wine elegance, the latter power. In the Fattoria del Colle terroir, at 400 meters above sea level, they find a particularly favourable habitat, producing elegant, powerful, velvety, and wines for cellaring.”

DOC ORCIA CENERENTOLA 2020 FROM FAIRY TALE TO WINE

Each magnum bottle will come in a white “royal case” with gold lettering that recalls the fairy tale from which the wine’s name originates.…

L'articolo CENERENTOLA ORCIA DOC RISERVA 2020-ORGANIC sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, wine destination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Eric Guido, editor of Vinous, always has a serious, almost sullen expression, but he’s actually an extremely kind and passionate man. He loves wine and food, but also the people behind the bottles, and he himself loves working in the kitchen.

He tastes for Vinous, Antonio Galloni’s portal, which in just a few years has established itself as one of the most authoritative and objective voices in global wine press. This goal also stems from Galloni and Guido’s tireless and meticulous work in the wine regions.

Eric Guido‘s tasting of our Brunellos took place last November and was subsequently published on Vinous with a brief introduction. <<The Donatella Cinelli Colombini estate, run entirely by a female team, has been one of my favourites for many years. These wines always display class and elegance, and age surprisingly well despite their immediate appeal. The 2021s are no exception>>. How thrilling to read these words!

96/100 BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO IOSONODONATELLA 2019

This is a very small series of just 300 bottles produced with grapes from the Ardita vineyard. The wine matured in five to seven hectolitre oak barrels, while the vinification and pre-bottling period took place in bare concrete vats and egg-shaped tanks. Eric’s description is so beautiful that I’m copying it almost entirely here: << The Brunello di Montalcino IosonoDonatella 2019 is sleek and sensual, irresistible with its magnificent interplay of black cherries and crushed raspberries, enriched with nuances of mint, Earl Grey, and dried roses.…

L'articolo ERIC GUIDO REWARDS DONATELLA’S BRUNELLOS sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

This is a unique opportunity for true wine lovers. We’re delighted to present a preview of two extraordinary new vintages of Brunello di Montalcino from Casato Prime Donne by Donatella Cinelli Colombini.

These wines are released on January 1st, so those who participate in this offer will be among the first in the world to taste them and share them with friends.

🍇 Offer of the Month – For Members of Donatella’s Club

3 bottles of Brunello 2021

3 bottles of Brunello Riserva 2020

+ brochure with a map and information about the Montalcino area

Price: €319.00 instead of €370.00

For those who double up

€624.00 instead of €740.00

🍇 For all other friends

3 bottles of Brunello 2021

3 bottles of Brunello Riserva 2020

+ brochure with a map of the Montalcino area

Price: €349.00 instead of €370.00

For those who double up

€689.00 instead of €740.00

🎁 For those who take advantage of this offer, a brochure with a map of the Montalcino area will be included.

NEWS FOR FRIENDS IN THE US, WE WILL PAY THE TARIFFS!!!

This offer is for those who want to start the new year with the perfect wines to celebrate every special occasion!

📅 Offer valid until: January 12, 2026

🛒 How to order

Just one click and the wine arrives directly to your home!…

L'articolo EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: Brunello 2021 and Riserva 2020! sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino

I’ve known Antonietta Mazzeo for over ten years and have always admired her expertise and thoroughness. These qualities sometimes complicate her life, because like all very sincere people, she also says unpleasant things. The flip side is that everyone can trust her words

In this spirit, I had her taste my 2025 oil, just arrived from the Frantoio di Montalcino mill. Antonietta Mazzeo was in Trequanda to moderate the conferences and lead the tasting panel at the “Festa dell’Olio Novo,” which takes place every year in mid-October. My request stemmed from the desire to evaluate which mill was ideal for our olives, given that we were using three this year. Antonietta told me, “It’s good, very good,” and I decided to return her favour by saying, “Take the bottle home to dress your vegetables.” She smiled happily, “Thank you, I’m really pleased.”

I didn’t expect her to call me a few days later and say, “I did the organoleptic analysis of your oil, can I publish it?” I accepted, and now I’m sharing it with you.

FATTORIA DEL COLLE EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL BY DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI

2025 Olive Oil Campaign

Tasting:  October 20, 2025

Unfiltered Sample

Cultivar: Blend of Moraiolo, Leccino, Frantoio

“…Medium-intense green fruitiness, with a predominance of artichoke and rocket.…

L'articolo ANTONIETTA MAZZEO AND DONATELLA’S EVO OIL sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Casato Prime Donne is usually the first to harvest Brunello grapes, but in 2021, it was among the last to harvest in Montalcino.

This is a very strange year, beginning with the disappointment of the frost that struck all of Europe’s vineyards. In our vineyards, it burned the tips of the first shoots and delayed the opening of those that were still covered when the cold wind arrived. This had two effects: a reduction in grape production and uneven ripening. Indeed, bud break marks the beginning of a vegetative cycle that lasts about six months. The 20-day gap between the first and last shoots resulted in uneven ripening. The result was a very labour-intensive harvest, requiring us to harvest each parcel separately and even go through the same vineyard multiple times, selecting bunch by bunch. This was a painstaking task, entirely done by hand by the pickers.

2021: THE LONG, CAREFUL, AND SPECTACULAR BRUNELLO HARVEST

Most of the harvest was therefore postponed to the end of September.

The bunches resembled those of Pinot Noir: small, open, and with miniature berries.

The heat and drought were also severe, with only two rains totalling 31 mm of rain from June to September, and peaks of over 40°C mid-August. However, paradoxically, the Sangiovese vines ripened in perfect health.…

L'articolo ORGANIC BRUNELLO 2021 BY DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The highly elegant style that characterizes all Donatella Cinelli Colombini wines is enhanced in the Brunello Riserva. These are wines designed to last. In the 2020 vintage, this characteristic is extremely evident in the silky yet taut tannins and the acidity that lends vitality to the palate and is well balanced by the intensity of the flavour and the alcohol. Those who drink it now will find a great Brunello in their glass, but those who have the patience to wait two or three years will enjoy truly extraordinary powerful and velvety harmonies.

THE BRUNELLO RISERVA 2020 IN THE VINEYARD AND IN CELLAR OF CASATO PRIME DONNE

In 2020, the winter was mild and dry, so the vines budded early, and the frost of March 18-23 caused more damage than expected for that time of spring. The result was a reduction in the number of grapes in the vineyards. A very rainy June allowed the vines to withstand sixty days of scorching heat from mid-July to mid-September. The leaves were used for shade, leaving the rows with an unattractive but highly protective bushy appearance. For the same reason, pre-harvest leaf removal was avoided.

At harvest time, the grapes were perfectly ripe, healthy, with well-lignified seeds, and had the typical crispness of great vintages. Analytical data even better than 2019: smaller berries, higher extractable polyphenols, potential alcohol around 14%, and a good acidity.…

L'articolo DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI PRESENTS HER BRUNELLO RISERVA 2020 sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

All the wineries in Montalcino are beautiful, but Casato Prime Donne is unique because the vineyards are more than just vines and the cellars are more than just barrels. In the first Italian winery with an all-female staff, which also achieved gender certification in 2025, wine lovers will find many surprises and experiences that will enthral even the most experienced.

THE EXCEPTIONALITY OF A VISIT TO THE CASATO PRIME DONNE WINERY

Contemporary works of art enrich the marvellous landscape of the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Alongside, dedications by great women help you reflect and recharge, amplifying the benefits of walking amidst nature preserved by organic farming.

In the winery, painted images and videos tell the story of Montalcino and its people’s sense of belonging. A different way to understand Brunello and discover how only there could a unique and extraordinary wine be born, the fruit of a land and a people with a strong character.

THE FIVE 2026 CASATO PRIME DONNE EXPERIENCES IN MONTALCINO

Each of the 5 experiences offered to wine lovers,  in its own way, tell this story. The Brunello Experience is for those who want to discover Montalcino. Whereas the wine and music tasting and the Brunello vertical tasting are dedicated to the most expert wine lovers and those seeking unique experiences.…

L'articolo EXPERIENCE WITH MYSTERIOUS WINES AT CASATO PRIME DONNE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winetourism, Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

The 2025 “Global Wine Tourism Report” has been commissioned by top-level clients, including the UN Tourism Organization, the OIV – International Organization of Vine and Wine, the Great Wine Capitals Global Network (GWC), and WineTourism.com. The scope is also vast, encompassing the entire world, with 1,310 wineries interviewed in 47 countries, but with a particular focus on Europe, which accounts for 70% of the sample, with Italy in a dominant position (17%).

PERHAPS TOO MANY EXPECTATIONS FOR THE WINE TOURISM BUSINESS

Wineries are showing strong interest worldwide: two out of three wineries report that wine tourism is profitable or very profitable. This type of  tourism generates approximately a quarter of their total revenues. This percentage is likely higher in North America and smaller in Europe.

Confirming the expectations of all wine companies regarding wine tourism, it’s worth noting that half of the sample intends to invest, and the majority expects growth in both fluxes and business. Indeed, there’s a widespread belief that this type of  tourism is countercyclical, or at least more resilient, and therefore capable of boosting sales in times of crisis.

Among Europeans, there’s greater reluctance to develop wine tourism. 57% of wineries not open to the public attribute this to a lack of staff, while among non-European wineries, the percentage drops to 30%.…

L'articolo WINE TOURISM IN WINERIES AROUND THE WORLD sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The new offer includes a blend of EVO oil and two single-cultivar varieties from Fattoria del Colle, delivered directly to your door for tasty and healthy dishes for €179.00.

You’ll receive four bottles of 0.75L organic EVO oil 2025, and two bottles each of 0.5L organic EVO oil 2025 Correggiolo and Moraiolo. Freshly pressed oil with its intense aroma and vibrant flavour, delivered directly from the mill to your table.

Fattoria del Colle is located in Trequanda, one of the best areas in Tuscany and the world for producing extra virgin olive oil thanks to its sandy soil, its remote location from the sea, and its altitude of over 400 meters, which protects it from olive fruit flies. The farm has 6 hectares of organic olive groves and sells exclusively its own oil. The olives are hand-harvested between October and November and pressed at the Oliviera Sant’Angelo, 10 km from the farm, and at the Frantoio di Montalcino.

🎁 For those who take advantage of this offer, a video with the “Guide to tasting EVO oil”!

The new oil

Fattoria del Colle produces organic extra virgin olive oil from the Correggiolo (Frantoio) variety, Moraiolo, and, in larger quantities, a blend of both varieties.

The Correggiolo variety is distinctive for its small, slightly asymmetrical, ovoid-shaped green olives. In fact the oil produced with 100% Correggiolo olives is golden yellow in colour with light

green tones. The flavour is distinguished by strong, golden bitterness and spiciness.…

L'articolo OFFER: NEW OLIVE OIL FOR YOU! sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

For many years, renowned Canadian critic Michael Godel has spent extensive periods in Montalcino. He has visited most of the Brunello wineries, tasting all their wines. He therefore has a deep knowledge of the places, the people, and the different Brunello production philosophies, including its evolution over time. Receiving a positive assessment from him is a great honour and a great satisfaction.

Donatella Cinelli Colombini was delighted to receive the stellar scores of 96, 95, 95, 94, and 93 awarded by Godel to five of her Brunellos. These wines are produced at  Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino  on the northern slope of the Montalcino hill, where the clay-rich soil is cooler and creates ideal conditions for the gradual ripening of the grapes.

96/100 BRUNELLO IOsonoDonatella 2019

Michael Godel is charmed by this wine and its history, and he takes the time to explain it.

<<A name that means “I am what I am,” but also a sort of word game that says “we know how to do things, and this is our way of being.” Medieval studies of gold and enamels inspire the label of this unique Sangiovese, also produced in the 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016 vintages.>>

Godel describes the taste of this small selection created by Donatella Cinelli Colombini in her image and likeness: “Exaggerated richness and elegance, with balsamic notes and a refined elegance at the highest level of a Sangiovese.”…

L'articolo MICHAEL GODEL’S EXCELLENT RATINGS sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

It’s difficult to stand out in an international wine market overcrowded with bottles. Especially with a young appellation like the Orcia DOC, and even more so with a native grape variety abandoned for over a century.

This is why Donatella Cinelli Colombini is happy every time her Cenerentola wine achieves a good result, like the 92/100 awarded by Wine Spectator for the 2019 vintage.

The Orcia DOC was born on February 14, 2000, in the high hills of southern Tuscany, nestled between the Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano territories. Sandwiched between two important and famous sisters, the Orcia DOC is in a favourable position for vineyards but difficult to establish a commercial niche.

THE NAME CENERENTOLA INDICATES THE PRINCELY DESTINY OF THIS WINE

That’s why Donatella named her wine Orcia Cenerentola, betting on a native grape variety that almost no one cultivated anymore—Foglia Tonda—but which seemed to her an ideal partner for Sangiovese. The goal was to produce a wine with distinctive characteristics, capable of achieving success at the highest levels.  Therefore thanks to her passionate grape-growers and formidable cellar women, the training system, harvest timing, wine making technique, and barrel type were gradually perfected. A ten-year effort with stellar results at Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda.

Today, the Orcia Cenerentola DOC receives scores between 91/100 and 93/100 from the most important international press.…

L'articolo 92/100 WS CENERENTOLA ALWAYS MORE A PRINCESS sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

At the end of August, after 60 consecutive days of scorching heat, the vines were at a standstill, and Donatella Cinelli Colombini was very worried. Then the weather changed, with heavy thunderstorms and a drastic drop in temperatures, dropping to 10°C at night.

These were ideal conditions for grape ripening, skin softening, and the synthesis of aromas.

The harvest was carefully prepared, leaf-pulling and removing excess bunches from the vines.

The harvest calendar was then planned like a military operation, monitoring the weather forecast, analysing the grapes, and tasting them to position machines and workers on the best day for each vineyard or portion of the vineyard.

A planning that called for very long days and work even on holidays, but the result was excellent.

WHAT IS CHIANTI SUPERIORE?

In 1996, the Chianti DOCG regulations were amended to introduce the Chianti Superiore type, with stricter production regulations than standard Chianti. The vineyards for this wine must have particularly favourable soils and exposures, and yields are lower than those for Chianti.

Donatella Cinelli Colombini‘s Chianti Superiore is a “family wine,” meaning it comes from the vineyards of those who vinified the grapes and bottled the wine.

FATTORIA DEL COLLE IN TREQUANDA

Practically a small hamlet, built by the current owner’s ancestors in 1592. Surrounding the villa and chapel are parks with three swimming pools, farmhouses converted into tourist accommodations, and a restaurant.…

L'articolo CHIANTI SUPERIORE DOCG 2024 FATTORIA DEL COLLE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

This offer is designed for your Christmas party planning. Three different magnums to enjoy during moments of conviviality with family or friends (last bottles available). These bottles will also be appreciated as gifts by collectors of fine wines.

🎁 Along with the bottles, you will find: a beautiful resin coaster directly from our Toscana Lovers stores and created by Riccardo Marzi.

What’s special about this offer?

The value of a magnum bottle of wine lies in its excellent ability to preserve and evolve the wine, thanks to less contact with oxygen and its ability to withstand temperature changes better than a standard bottle. In addition to the qualitative benefits, the magnum format offers a strong visual impact on special occasions and makes a surprising and memorable gift.

Cenerentola and Foglia Tonda

Two grapes are used to produce Cenerentola DOC Orcia: Sangiovese and Foglia Tonda, both native. Sangiovese is the main grape variety in Tuscany, and in the Orcia denomination, it must comprise at least 60% of the total. In Cenerentola, it accounts for approximately 65%. The Foglia Tonda grape variety is genetically a descendant of Sangiovese. It has been cultivated in Tuscany since time immemorial and is mentioned in 19th-century sources in the Chianti Classico region. Foglia Tonda vines have also been identified in Siena’s historic urban vineyards. It is a late-ripening vine that loves heat and tends to be overly fertile, so its cultivation is primarily aimed at limiting grape production.…

L'articolo CHRISTMAS IS CLOSE, HERE ARE 2 BRUNELLO AND 1 ORCIA FOR YOU! sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Rejuvenate amidst landscapes shaped by man over the centuries, at the time of year when the Sangiovese vineyards turn to a golden splendour on the hills. It’s the season of the white truffle of the Crete Senesi, known for its extraordinary elegance, rivalling that of Alba. It is also season of freshly produced EVO oil, which at Fattoria del Colle is diversified into five varieties, one of which is preserved in antique terracotta jars. It’s the season when you can already preview the future 2021 Brunello. Click here for more info

3 UNFORGETTABLE WEEKENDS WITH TRUFFLES WITH AN INCREDIBLE AROMA  AND GREAT WINES

The first 3 weekends of November, coinciding with the Crete Senesi White Truffle Market.
Stays take place at Fattoria del Colle, a hamlet-like property built in 1592 around the villa where Donatella Cinelli Colombini still lives today. The villa will open its historic rooms for a guided tour.

The apartments and guest rooms retain much of their original furnishings and floors. Sleeping here will feel like staying in your Tuscan grandparents’ home.

The program unfolds over two or three days and is full of surprises and unique moments.

Of course, there’s truffle hunting in the woods with dogs, so you’ll need to bring wellies or rain boots, as well as a hooded windbreaker.…

L'articolo UNMISSABLE APPOINTMENT WITH WHITE TRUFFLES AND FINE RED WINES sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Autumn brings the pleasure of spending time together at the table, we have thought of something ideal for Thanksgiving. We’ve created a special gift set for you that captures the diverse spirit of our region, with wines to sip by the fireplace and something for the little ones, too:

• Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019, a wine with a silky harmony that conceals a powerful structure.
• Il Drago e le 8 Colombe 2020, dedicated to strong personalities, decisive and full-bodied.
• Colombino Olive Oil, our most delicate extra virgin olive oil, in a 500 ml tin to keep on the table and in two practical 250 ml formats, perfect for any occasion.

A box that represents family in all its nuances: romantic, strong, and everyday.

🎁 Along with the bottles, you’ll find a Fattoria del Colle recipe book featuring the tastiest local recipes.

This is a special opportunity to receive two “family wines” from Casato Prime Donne and Fattoria del Colle di Trequanda.

The 2019 Riserva is a 100% Sangiovese wine, from Casato Prime Donne’s finest vineyard.

Il Drago e le 8 Colombe is a blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, and 20% Sagrantino.

The offer is completed by two sizes of Fattoria del Colle EVO oil, the smallest ones suitable for children.…

L'articolo Family Gift Set: Wine and Olive Oil for Relaxing Moments Together sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Montalcino, September 13, the 2025 Casato Prime Donne Award ceremony concludes at Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda with a cake in honour of the winner Darya Majidi, Donna 4.0.

It was created by students in the advanced pastry course at the Tessieri School of Ponsacco, led by instructor Fabio Centoni. A dessert that speaks of the dialogue between cultures, roots, and the future.

CAKE WITH IRANIAN RAW MATERIALS AND ETHICAL PRODUCTION

A story that describes Darya Majidi, a woman born in Iran and raised in Italy, tied to tradition and strongly committed to artificial intelligence and women’s understanding of it.

The dessert is made using three ingredients typical of Darya’s homeland (Iran): pistachio, pomegranate, and Medjool date. It’s all topped with Noalya chocolate, made with 72% cocoa from the Tessieri plantation in Venezuela.

HOW PASTRY CAN BECOME A SYMBOL OF INTEGRATION

Tierra is dedicated to the earth as a generator of life. A proclamation to ethical sustainability in the cocoa culture. Tierra is also women, as generators of life, innovators through creative intelligence. A pastry-making project, an act of education and inclusion, born in a school where pastry is also thought, language, and innovation.

The cake is therefore an educational project, a tangible example of how pastry making can foster culture, integration, and convey messages of hope.…

L'articolo TIERRA MULTI- ETHNIC CAKE CREATED FOR THE PRIMA DONNA 2025 sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

THE WORK OF ART THAT ACCOMPANIES THE QUOTE BY THE PRIMA DONNA 2025, DARYA MAJIDI, IS BY A 17-YEAR-OLD STUDENT FROM THE SIENA ART HIGH SCHOOL, GIULIA LAPENTA

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda 

Ciclo infinito-Endless Cycle is an artistic installation approximately 3.5 meters high with a cylindrical, saw-cut travertine base with a split top. From this base emerge six silhouettes depicting human heads made of 14 mm diameter solid round iron, hand-painted with a silver, gold, and copper metallic effect. The irons rise to form faces and then descend to sink into the ground. The work was created by COIMA under the direction of architect Elisa Boldi.

CICLO INFINITO ENDLESS CIRCLE BY GIULIA LAPENTA

Young artist Giulia Lapenta developed the 2025 theme of the Casato Prime Donne Award, which concerns Artificial Intelligence, sending a message of alarm and the hope of a cycle that begins and ends on our planet’s surface.

The art installation is conceived of five elements: the earth, the base, the iron rods connecting the base to the heads, and the heads and tails.  Earth is the starting point, and from the earth emerges the base, which, with its cylindrical shape, symbolizes human evolution and the invention of the wheel. The heads represent AI and the attempt to recreate human intelligence, but the metal wires with which they are made of descend to the ground, indicating that artificial intelligence exists within a perpetual cycle.…

L'articolo ENDLESS CYCLE , 2025 ART INSTALLATION BY GIULIA LAPENTA sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, wine destination, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

3-time cooked  cauliflower can be served as an appetizer, a main course, or a side dish. In the Marche region, fried cauliflower is eaten without tomatoes and is delicious. The recipe I’m sharing is very tasty and can well enhance even banal dishes like roast beef or chicken breast. It harks back to grandmothers’ cooking, who, with humble ingredients, managed to create extraordinary flavours, warming the heart as well as the mouth.

This recipe also has another advantage: like all cabbage, it’s indigestible, so it fills for a long time and promotes weight loss.

It should be paired with the white wine used in cooking, so I recommend the IGT Toscana Sanchimento from Fattoria del Colle, a traminer with a hint of Grechetto, one-third of which is made following the Orange method.

INGREDIENTS AND DOSES FOR 3-TIME COOKED CAULIFLOWER  (SERVES 4)

For the cauliflower: 1 large cauliflower, 100 g white flour, 1 egg, extra virgin olive oil, dry white wine, salt, and pepper.

For the tomato sauce: 500 g very ripe tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, half a red onion, 1 celery stalk, 1 carrot, and a few basil leaves.

3-TIME COOKED CAULIFLOWER, PREPARATION

The preparation is long and takes an hour and a half, but it’s incredibly easy.…

L'articolo 3-TIME COOKED CAULIFLOWER IN THE MONTALCINO MANNER sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda

“Among the villages of the Val di Pesa, Valdelsa, and Val di Virginio is the workshop where our ceramics are born, nestled among the vineyards and hills,” says Sara Petreni, welcoming us to the Toscana Lovers shop in Siena, in Piazza Indipendenza, just a few steps from Piazza del Campo, where the Palio is run. “They are still made using the ancient techniques of the wheel, casting, and press, in a blend of styles. From country chic with dusty hues and shabby details to classic and contemporary. Hands that first draw and then shape the clay.” Sara shows the results of the ceramists’ patient work: bowls, plates, trays, jugs, cruets… the colours are typical of the Tuscan palette and landscapes. “Each shade is unique, created by the brush of a true artist who adds a touch of chiaroscuro, thus making the ceramic vibrate.”

The items for sale at Toscana Lovers appear to be of a new design, but instead they tell an ancient story.

ARTISAN TUSCAN CERAMICS FOR THE TABLE

So a red cruet will never be a simple container for oil, but an object that accompanies us during family meals, adding a touch of color that brightens every kitchen.

And then there are the dinner sets, the flower-like bowls, and even the bathroom collections.…

L'articolo TRENDY TUSCAN CERAMICS sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The Casato Prime Donne Award 2025 is awarded to an extraordinary and visionary woman. An Italian-Iranian entrepreneur who has been fighting for years to increase the skills of women, especially young women, in artificial intelligence. Darya Majidi is the Woman 4.0 who believes in digital as a means to accelerate the path towards gender equality.

A few days ago Linkedin rated her among the 200 Top Voices in the world regarding AI. There are 4 Italians and Darya Majidi is the only woman. Fortune Italia listed her among the 50 Most Powerful Women in Italy and dedicated her to the cover of the October 2023 issue. In 2021, she was mentioned by D. di Repubblica as one of the 100 women who are changing the world, and in 2022, Io Donna by Corriere della Sera named her among the 10 women who are impacting Italy.

DARYA MAJIDI: SKILLS, HEART, AND COURAGE TO GIVE WOMEN A NEW FUTURE

<<The key is in three words: Breaking the glass ceiling that imprisons women in subordinate roles requires first breaking down a prejudice: that women are poorly suited to scientific studies. This isn’t true, and fearlessly facing the changes triggered by artificial intelligence is the way to achieve this.>> Indeed, according to the ICILS (International Computer and Information Literacy Study) survey, the digital skills of Italian thirteen-year-old girls reach a score of 500, compared to 482 for their male peers.…

L'articolo DARYA MAJIDI THE 4.0 WOMAN sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Would you like this offer featuring two vintages of Rosso di Montalcino for €264.00 delivered directly to your home?

This offer focuses on Rosso di Montalcino, a wine appreciated for its fragrance and freshness! 10 bottles of Rosso di Montalcino from two vintages and two different sizes: the 2023 Rosso di Montalcino in a 0.750 Liter bottle and the 2022 Rosso di Montalcino in a 1.5 liter magnum (last bottles available).

🎁 together with the bottles you will find: a corkscrew with the logo of the Donatella Cinelli Colombini winery

What’s special about this offer?

This is a special opportunity to receive two Rosso di Montalcino wines from different vintages, made with Sangiovese from the organic vineyards of Casato Prime Donne belonging to Donatella Cinelli Colombini. The two sizes allow you to choose the occasion for which to open them. An ideal wine for the last days of summer and autumn, for aperitifs, lunches, dinners, and parties. For events with a few close friends, or for a real celebration! Extraordinary: the white-label bottles allow you to personalize a gift for friends or family with a special dedication!

🍇 Offer of the Month – For Donatella Club Members

4 bottles of Rosso di Montalcino 2023, 0.75 litres

4 bottles of Rosso di Montalcino 2023 with customizable white label, 0.75 litres

2 Magnums of Rosso di Montalcino 2022, 1.5 litres

4 gift bags + 4 tissue papers + 4 package seals

1 personalized corkscrew

🎯 Special price: €264.00 (instead of €307.00)

💡 Want to double up?…

L'articolo Offer: two vintages, one passion for Rosso di Montalcino sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Casato Prime Donne

The data on EVO oil are impressive and reveal a bleak panorama. On one side, the Apulian olive groves destroyed by Xylella and the hilly ones abandoned due to lack of manpower. On the other side, a market unwilling to pay remunerative prices for Italian extra virgin olive oil made to the highest standards while the shop shelves are full of low-priced extra virgin olive oil from intensive olive groves in foreign countries.

The RTO Telematic Oil Registers show a stock of 190 thousand tons consisting of 71% EVO oil which is increasingly less Italian.

The Italian EVO oil production crisis does not seem to be stopping: plant diseases, adverse climate, abandonment of olive groves… the reasons are numerous but the results are devastating.

OUR NATIONAL PRODUCTION OF EVO OIL IS 28% OF WHAT WE NEED

Even the Italian olive harvest last autumn marked a drop of 90 thousand tons compared to the previous year. The production deficit is increasingly marked: we produce barely 240 thousand tons, that is 28% of what we need. Every year we need 850-900 thousand tons of which 550 for domestic consumption and 350 thousand tons for export. For this reason, agri-food industrialists source from Tunisia, Spain, Greece and other countries.…

L'articolo EXTRAVIRGIN OLIVE OIL: TRUE AND IMPORTED sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Coffee cups are not glass, not ceramic, not crystal, not amber, and most importantly, not plastic! These are handmade resin objects, each one different, but all crafted with the creativity and craftsmanship typical of Tuscan master craftsmen.

Almost artists, highly creative and gifted with extraordinary manual skills… these artisans share the same mentality as those who, during the Renaissance, filled Florence with masterpieces. Therefore, taking home a unique piece made by them means owning an authentic piece of “Tuscan genius,” even if it doesn’t cost as much as a Benvenuto Cellini sugar bowl.

TOSCANA LOVERS RESIN COFFEE CUPS

Tuscan essences are playfully yet elegantly incorporated into resin. Ears of wheat, flowers, chili peppers, spices, citrus fruits… a nature magically “suspended” to become “eternal.” It’s precisely this playful transgression that makes these cups so pop. Extraordinary craftsmanship, creative thinking, and outstanding compositional skill, but also a sense of lightness, as if the cups were saying, “Use me every day because I’ll put joy in your coffee.”

“The combination of natural elements and a special resin creates objects where every colour and shade reflect natural cycles, and leaves, flowers, fruits, and shells become fossilized amber,” explains Ilaria Perilli from the Toscana Lovers store in Bagno Vignoni, showing off a wide range of resin trays, tureens, and bowls.…

L'articolo FROM TOSCANA LOVERS COFFEE BECOMES FLOWERED sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

A fresh, healthy, pleasant Tuscan-Middle Eastern mix full of multi-ethnic suggestions: the vegetable garden and Tuscan peasant breakfasts with the flavour of Arab snacks

To be honest, the idea is not mine, I tasted this delicious appetizer in Campiglia d’Orcia during “Bianco di sera” an event organized by Elena Salviucci, president of the Strada del Vino Orcia, in one of the most panoramic and beautiful spots in Tuscany.

This is a pinzimonio, a typical peasant snack made with celery, fennel, cucumber, carrot, to be eaten after having dipped them in extra virgin olive oil. The novelty is the addition of chickpea hummus that is placed in the pinzimonio cups together with the oil.

The result is amazing. A new appetizer with a long history behind it in two different areas of the Mediterranean.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE PINZIMONIO WITH HUMMUS

Dried chickpeas 200g

Lemon juice 90g

Tahini paste 70g

Garlic (optional) 1 clove

Extra virgin olive oil 50g

Water

Salt to taste

4 carrots

1 celery

2 fennels

2 peppers

2 cucumbers

PREPARATION OF THE PINZIMONIO WITH HUMMUS

The preparation is long and requires at least 3 and a half hours but is very very easy

The day before, soak the chickpeas in warm water.…

L'articolo PINZIMONIO WITH HUMMUS sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

In Montalcino, “pulpette avvolte” are the traditional sandwich for the “festa dei Bianchi”, namely of the Misericordia, the last Sunday in August. In reality, they are very tasty rolls, while the real polpette avvolte are a humble but tasty dish that is prepared in spring and autumn when the cabbages are ready in the garden.

It has the advantage of being able to be prepared the day before and heated up at the last moment, bringing an ancient and intense flavour to the table

INGREDIENTS OF TUSCAN WRAPPED MEATBALLS

For 4 people: 15 cabbage leaves, 500 g of minced meat, 100 g of salted pancetta, 1 egg, 50g of Parmigiano cheese, half

a glass of white wine and half a glass of milk, two slices of bread, salt, pepper, a sprinkling of nutmeg

PREPARATION OF POLPETTE AVVOLTE TOSCANE

Very easy, it takes about an hour including baking in the oven.

Wash the cabbage leaves and blanch them for 2-3 minutes in boiling salted water. Dry them.

Soak the bread in the milk and squeeze it, mix it with the minced meat, diced pancetta, egg, Parmigiano, salt and pepper. Grate the nutmeg.

Form meatballs the size of mandarins and wrap them in cabbage.

Bake in the oven at 180°C for half an hour, placing baking paper on the bottom of the baking tin.…

L'articolo POLPETTE AVVOLTE OR CABBAGE ROLLS sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle, Casato Prime Donne

Regenerative tourism is a new trend that reflects the awareness of being in the privileged 10% of the world’s population that, however, produces half of the greenhouse gas emissions. Along with this sensitivity, the need to rediscover oneself by listening to one’s body grows. A need that generates the desire to take care of one’s physical and psychological well-being threatened by a growing sense of uncertainty and insecurity.

So the journey no longer includes just visits but experiences of what is natural, different and to be preserved. Regenerative tourism is not the cure for all the ailments of contemporary mankind but responds to his needs. It restores value to the territories and ecosystems where the journey takes place. Also it does not consume the territories it visits but helps their survival. It proposes a more minimalist and sustainable style in direct contact with nature and local life.

Fattoria del Colle, in Trequanda in Southern Tuscany, fully embodies this approach, offering experiences that enrich both visitors and the surrounding environment.

AUTHENTIC IMMERSION IN THE TERRITORY

Fattoria del Colle is a miraculously intact sixteenth-century hamlet, surrounded by 336 hectares of vineyards, olive groves, crops, woods and truffle reserves.…

L'articolo REGENERATE AND HELP REGENERATE WITH TOURISM IN TUSCANY sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestnation, Fattoria del Colle, Casato Prime Donne

I love super housewives more than starred chefs, but in this case, we can learn from them. They avoid contact between aluminium foil and food both in the oven and during storage because acids such as lemon or pickles could generate contamination. Check their recipes and you will see.

This is a valuable lesson that everyone should learn and bring into the kitchen. An article by Eugenio Marini in Gamberorosso Notizie goes into detail with plenty of examples.

ALUMINIUM IN COOKING AND IN CONTACT WITH ACIDIC FOODS CAN CONTAMINATE

Searching the Internet, alarming phrases come up. <<The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has established maximum limits for exposure to aluminium: a person who weighs 60 kilograms, for example, should not ingest more than 60 milligrams of aluminium per week>>. I wonder how to measure the 60 milligrams and therefore, as a precaution, it is better to remove aluminium from the kitchen.

The critical points, those in which the release of potentially toxic substances is greater, are cooking and contact with acids such as vinegar, tomato and lemon. Furthermore, using aluminium trays or aluminium foil as I have done, up until now, is absolutely wrong.

On the other front, that of those who consume, greater attention should be paid to pregnant women, people with kidney problems and children for whom toxicity can be a serious danger.…

L'articolo ALUMINIUM IN THE KITCHEN: BETTER NOT sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination

The Rosso di Montalcino 2022 was born in a very hot year with no rain for seven months. The winemakers at Casato Prime Donne saw grapes arrive in the cellar with berries as small as peas that were then transformed into wines full of noble substances and especially tannins.

A WINE BORN WITH KINDNESS

To obtain silky wines from such a rich must, it was necessary to vinify with extreme delicacy, then extend the maceration in contact with the skins and then bring forward the placing in the barrel to November.

The result is a small masterpiece of harmony: a powerful but elegant and fresh wine thanks to the perfect acid content of the grapes.

The description written by Danielle Callegari perfectly reflects the character of this Rosso di Montalcino 2022 << Aromas of cherry, red orange peel, warm brick, earth and chopped sage create a nose that is at the same time austere, warm and structured. On the palate, crisp and fresh berries combine with notes of aromatic herbs, soil and citrus, all on deep and enveloping earthy tones>>.

WHO IS DANIELLE CALLEGARI

The comment is written by Danielle Callegari, editor for Italian wines at Wine Enthusiast. Danielle is a “super taster”, that is, a person with a higher-than-average number of taste buds, which allows her to identify flavors and aromas better than us mere mortals.…

L'articolo 92/100 AWARDED TO ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2022 sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle, Casato Prime Donne 

Until fifty years ago Montalcino was a poor town where families ate little meat and lots of vegetables because everyone had a vegetable garden. For this reason, the little beef was often boiled, which was mixed with sausages and rigatino to then be stuffed with onions, artichokes, courgettes, potatoes … depending on the season of the year. Housewives had in fact managed to invent delicious dishes that fed even the largest and poorest families. Today stuffed zucchini flowers or topini, as they are called in the Montalcino lexicon, are a delicious rarity. In fact, although they are delicious to eat and can be prepared in advance and then served after heating them in the oven they require a long preparation time. This circumstance discourages young people with very little time available.

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE TOPINI DI MONTALCINO

For 6 people, easy to make, takes about two hours 20 courgette flowers, 2 cloves of garlic, a quarter of a red onion, a sprig of parsley, 50g of salty rigatino, 100g of salty Tuscan prosciutto, 100g of minced boiled beef or minced meat or alternatively 2 fresh pork sausages, 50g of Tuscan breadcrumbs, a glass of milk, 2 eggs, 50g of grated dry pecorino cheese, 50g of extra virgin olive oil, half a glass of white wine, 3 tablespoons of tomato paste or a cup of tomato puree, salt and pepper.…

L'articolo TOPINI FROM MONTALCINO sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Dear friends, we have prepared for you an unmissable opportunity for true Sangiovese lovers! Two masterpieces from amazing vintages. The Rosa di Tetto IGT Toscana 2024, in preview, and the Brunello DOCG 2020.

🎁 together with the bottles you will find: two blue shopper bags, two sheets of tissue paper (to give a touch of elegance to a gift you will give to your friends) and the package sealer

What’s special about this offer?

This is a special opportunity to receive 2 different expressions of Sangiovese from the Donatella Cinelli Colombini farms. For the first time, part of the grapes used for the Rosa di Tetto 2024 come from the Casato Prime Donne vineyards in Montalcino. Donatella’s vineyards are grown organically and with great commitment.

🍇 Offer of the Month – For Members of Donatella’s Club

3 bottles 0.75L Rosa di Tetto IGT Toscana 2024

3 bottles 0.75L Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020

two blue shopper bags, two sheets of tissue paper and two package sealers, all with the logo of the Donatella Cinelli Colombini wineries

🎯 Special price: €154.90 (instead of €184.20)

🚚 €10 discount on shipping

💡 Want to double?

12 bottles for €289.00 (instead of €368.40) with the same advantage on shipping.

For all wine lovers

3 bottles 0.75L Rosa di Tetto IGT Toscana 2024

3 bottles 0.75L Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020

two blue shopper bags, two sheets of tissue paper and two package sealers, all with the logo of the Donatella Cinelli Colombini cellars

🎯 Price: €169.00 (instead of €184.20)

💡 Want to double?…

L'articolo Super offer with Rosa di Tetto 2024 and Brunello 2020! sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle, Casato Prime Donne

When I was young, the gastronome of Sienese cuisine was Giovanni Righi Parenti (1923-2006). Pharmacist, poet, painter and historian of local gastronomy. He was an example of that interdisciplinary and nonconformist culture that flourished by taking root in its territory. A pleasant conversationalist, an open and creative mind, a generous soul … Giovanni Righi Parenti was for decades a point of reference for cuisine enthusiasts, placing himself in the ranks of those pioneers who combined cultivation with culture: Soldati, Veronelli, Buonassisi ..

We owe him the rediscovery of a very poor dish from Southern Tuscany, the rivolti. According to him, they originated from the Crete Senesi and from there they emigrated to Florence where they began to fill them richly. They arrived in France with the chefs of Caterina de Medici when she married King Henry II in 1547. In Paris they took the name by which we know them today: crepes.

Originally, the rivolti were stacked one on top of the other with a simple dressing of oil and cheese. To eat them for breakfast, housewives cut them vertically, placing a slice made up of many overlapping triangles on a table.

Today in Trequanda and in the Crete Senesi the recipe has been enriched and has changed its name to become crespelle.…

L'articolo RIVOLTI OR CRESPELLE DELLE CRETE SENESI sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Rosé wines intense enough to accompany the entire meal and soft enough to be drunk cold.

Fattoria del Colle has been producing rosé wines for over forty years but in 2024, for the first time, part of the grapes for this wine come from the Montalcino vineyards of Casato Prime Donne. A circumstance that gives greater structure to the Rosa di Tetto.

ROSA DI TETTO IGT TOSCANA

The choice to produce a more structured rosé stems from the international success of this type and the demand for rosés with greater personality and aging capacity. A change that coincided with a return to the origins, inspired by the “acquati” produced by Tuscan farmers since time immemorial. Those of a century ago were fragrant but poor-quality rosés obtained by stealing a part of the must at the beginning of fermentation or by refermenting the marc. They were therefore poor wines.

Today there is a precise desire to seek out wines of high quality and great elegance. The Rosa di Tetto 2024 belongs to this typology to which it combines great oenology with a touch of Tuscan tradition already evident in the onion skin colour. This characteristic derives from a prolonged contact between the skins and the must which transfers the typical notes of Sangiovese and a more intense colour to the wine.…

L'articolo ROSA DI TETTO 2024 IGT TOSCANA ROSATO BIOLOGICO-ORGANIC sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle, Casato Prime Donne

James Magazine is an online magazine directed by journalist and wine critic Bruno Petronilli that draws inspiration from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s maxim “beauty will save the world”. A concept that is expressed in <<luxury of pleasure, including champagne and great wines, art, restaurants, travel, exclusive resorts, spirits, cigars. James Magazine, or rather passions, unstoppable and dazzling, that dominate the soul, the heart and the mind>>.

THE 2020 BRUNELLOS DISPLAYED BY JAMES MAGAZINE

On the occasion of Benvenuto Brunello, he tasted the 2020 vintage defined by the special panel organized by the Consortium as <<Enticing, brilliant, succulent>> adjectives to which James Magazine adds the words <<versatile and suited for aging>>.

Seeing my Brunello among the favourites for the 2020 harvest is a pleasure and a satisfaction. The three 2020 Brunellos on display are Vigna Montosoli by Canalicchio di Sopra, Donatella Cinelli Colombini and Podernovi di San Polo by Marilisa Allegrini. They are followed by 12 other labels, most of which are selections or single vineyards. My Brunello is instead the classic typology, the one we consider to be more vertical in style, elegant and capable of expressing terroir, vintage and vine variety.

THE 2020 BRUNELLO , SON OF A FAVOURABLE VINTAGE

From a climatic point of view, 2020 was marked by a frost in mid-March and a rainy spring followed by a torrid July and scarce rainfall until a storm at the end of August.…

L'articolo BRUNELLO 2020 CHOSEN BY JAMES MAGAZINE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle, Casato Prime Donne

The backs of Tuscan farms were traditionally used for artisanal activities: the blacksmith, the oil mill, the laundry… Fattoria del Colle is no exception and on the ground floor, behind the sixteenth-century villa, it had the olive grove, the workshop and the wagon shed and the wash houses. It seems like a more modest part compared to the facades but it is not.

THE IMPORTANCE OF VIEWS IN COUNTRYSIDE TOURISM

The big difference is the view. In front of the villa, the park with tall trees blocks the view while behind it, the gaze extends to Montalcino, the Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi. A landscape shaped by the hand of man and that has remained almost intact for centuries. The rooms and tourist apartments located in the back of the Fattoria del Colle are therefore more panoramic than the others but they have a problem: they are exposed to the sun during the hottest hours of the day because there are no trees to provide shade. An element that until twenty years ago was an asset but with the scorching summers of global warming has become a problem

THE OLD-STYLE HOSPITALITY OF THE FARM BECOMES TECHNOLOGICAL WITH AN UPGRADE

In 2025, during the fire safety works, the apartments and rooms in the rear area of ​​the villa underwent a restyling aimed at increasing comfort and making the spaces more welcoming.…

L'articolo UPGRADE OF A CORNER OF FATTORIA DEL COLLE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

2019, 2020 and 2021 are three very different vintages but of great quality. They show how global warming favours the vineyards of southern Tuscany despite the excessive heat and cold, drought and monsoon storms that characterize the new climate.

In fact, 2021 had started badly with a spring frost that, fortunately, only grazed the Fattoria del Colle but caused a drastic drop in temperatures preventing the birth of new shoots. There were therefore about 20 days of distance between the first leaves born at the beginning of April and those at the end of the month. The frost and the three summer months without rain produced a drastic decline in the bunches and the size of the grapes that, at harvest, resembled Pinot Noir more than Sangiovese. A cool September that became cold at night, offered the ideal conditions for a slow and regular ripening of the grapes. The result is a wine that combines power, freshness and longevity.

CENERENTOLA’S HOUSE AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE

The grapes for the Cenerentola wine come from the organic vineyards at Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda, in southern Tuscany. 404 meters above sea level with a soil mainly composed of marine sands of Pliocene origin. The wine is a blend of two native vines, Sangiovese (65%), king of the Tuscan vineyard and Foglia Tonda (35%), an ancient variety, from the same region, that was abandoned until Donatella Cinelli Colombini fell in love with it.…

L'articolo CENERENTOLA ORCIA DOC 2021 BIO sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The partnership between Donatella Cinelli Colombini with the OMIF company from Siena and the interior designer Lorella Salvi is now approaching twenty years. It began in the Toscana Lovers store in Siena and continued in Bagno Vignoni and Cortona with the furnishing of the other two shops of the best Tuscan craftsmanship for the home. Commercial activities coordinated by Cecilia Sacchi who also orchestrated the renovation of the cellar stores.

LORELLA SALVI THE INTERIOR DESIGNER OF DONATELLA’S STORES

Two years ago, Lorella designed the shop at Casato Prime Donne winery in Montalcino in natural wood with an austere style suitable for Brunello and also inspired by the libraries of aristocratic residences. This year she designed the commercial area of ​​the Fattoria del Colle winery in Trequanda using a cream colour that recalls the pantries of Tuscan castles and villas. The commercial area is in the innermost part of a very large room located in the basement of the sixteenth-century villa.

It incorporates the external walls of a medieval tower and the entrance to the underground cave where, according to ancient chronicles, Sant ‘Egidio di Querciola and San Bernardino da Siena retreated to pray. Here, protected from light, temperature changes and thieves, Donatella Cinelli Colombini keeps her antique bottles of Brunello.

The room where the sales point is located is also used to let tourists taste the wine in groups and can accommodate up to 55 people, i.e.…

L'articolo NEW WINE SHOP AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini #winedestination

SANCHIMENTO 2024 A SUPERTUSCAN FROM ORGANIC AND TOURISTIC VINEYARDS

Sanchimento is obtained from organic grapes from the small vineyard around the chapel of the Fattoria del Colle dedicated to San Clemente or Chimento as the saint himself was called in medieval times. The wine therefore takes its name from the small sixteenth-century church. Both the chapel and the adjacent vineyard are open to tourists, in fact the vineyard of Traminer grapes used for the Sanchimento wine is the starting point for a trail in the vineyards that leads visitors to discover all the grape varieties grown at the Fattoria del Colle through the use of signs and QR codes.

THE PARTICULAR VINIFICATION FOR SANCHIMENTO

The cellar workers led by the oenologist Barbara Magnani have developed a very particular process for the Sanchimento IGT Toscana white. An unprecedented method that manages to enhance the characteristics of the grape variety, increase the complexity of the wine and its distinctive characteristics.

In the cellar, the Traminer grapes are cooled and divided. Most have a classic vinification process while about a quarter is vinified with the orange system (with the skins and without the addition of yeasts) in terracotta amphorae where the wine remains until bottling. This year, in addition to the two Impruneta jars, a clayver sphere was also used.…

L'articolo SANCHIMENTO IGT TOSCANA WHITE 2024 BIO-ORGANIC sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Eric Guido is a young wine critic of enormous talent. For Vinous he tastes Italian wines, those from the Pacific coast, Paso Robles and Slovenia. He loves wine but also cuisine – especially Italian – and works in creative writing, copywriting, photography, digital editing. All at the highest levels

In January 2025 he tasted 4 wines from Fattoria del Colle and then published the opinions on Antonio Galloni Vinous’ portal. Two critics who don’t favour anyone and have built their reputation on integrity. This is why their opinions are important. Obviously, they serve the market by guiding purchases but above all they serve producers like me who want to understand if their stylistic choices are going in the right direction. And my choice is territoriality

VINOUS GIVES 90 POINTS TO DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI’S 2022 CHIANTI SUPERIORE DOCG

<<A vibrant mix of crushed cherries, mint and hints of pine shavings wafts from the 2022 Chianti Superiore. This is a juicy effort, with a core of crisp acidity that drives a nice balance of crisp mineral tones and berry fruit>>. The fragrant vinosity of this Chianti Superiore comes from the almost pure Sangiovese and the steel storage that leaves the grape’s characters intact.

VINOUS GIVES 94 POINTS  TO CENERENTOLA DOC ORCIA 2019 BY DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI

<<The 2019 Orcia Cenerentola is intense: it gradually unfurls with a smoky mix of crushed rocks, dried flowers and blackcurrant, complicated by an exotic spiciness that I find wildly attractive.…

L'articolo VINOUS GIVES 90, 94, 91, AND 90 TO CHIANTI, ORCIA AND VINSANTO sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Alessia Bianchi, Fattoria del Colle, Casato Prime Donne

Visual analysis of extra virgin olive oil is considered of little relevance, which is why professional tasting glasses are deliberately coloured to mask visual characteristics that could influence the taster’s judgment. The shades of oil can range from yellow to intense green, but are linked to the variety of olive or the degree of ripeness. On the other hand the olfactory analysis is of considerable importance for the final judgement. The aroma perceived by inhaling, after having warmed the glass between the palms of the hands to bring it to the optimal temperature of 28°C, immediately reveals whether the aromas are pleasant or whether there are unpleasant sensations linked to defects.

A quality extra virgin olive oil must have a fresh and vegetal aroma, which can recall hints of artichoke, almond or tomato. The intense aroma is a distinctive characteristic of high quality oils and represents one of the main differences between a common extra virgin olive oil and an excellent product.

HOW TO TASTE OLIVE OIL

The taste analysis will allow you to describe the tactile stimuli such as fluidity, consistency and oiliness, and the gustatory ones (sweet, bitter, spicy)

There are three positive attributes

• Fruity – It can be light, medium or intense, depending on the intensity of the perceived olive aroma.

…

L'articolo EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL: TASTING AND STORAGE sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, #winedestination, Fattoria del Colle, Casato Prime Donne

The simplicity of certain preparations brings with it the flavour of old Tuscan farms, of the ancient wisdom of gestures. Perhaps it is precisely the authenticity of what has not changed over the centuries that gives us back the experience of the past. For this reason, I invite you to prepare anchovies with parsley pesto as Nunziatina did, that is, Annunziata Ferretti, matriarch of her family and head housewife in the kitchen of my Colombini grandparents’ house in Montalcino.

FROM CLASSIC PESTO TO PESTO WITH AGLIONE

There are four recommendations: the extra virgin olive oil must be the one pressed a few months ago using organic olives picked early by hand. Just like the one made in Fattoria del Colle.

The unsalted bread, that is, without salt, typically Tuscan, must be made with sourdough and not with chemicals.

It is better if the parsley comes from the garden and is freshly cut. It is better if instead of garlic you use the aglione from Val d’Orcia. The latter is a transgression compared to the domestic tradition of Montalcino but Nunziatina used little garlic and those who love this bulbous plant must opt ​​for the aglione, the kiss-proof garlic, which is much more digestible (but more expensive).…

L'articolo ANCHOVIES WITH PARSLEY AND AGLIONE PESTO sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

For Donatella Cinelli Colombini, the 2023 harvest was <<the most difficult harvest of my life, with my husband Carlo in hospital in Malta and my daughter Violante who directed the harvest alone flying back and forth from Valletta>>.

Added to this were the rainfalls in spring and summer, the attacks of downy mildew and 3 small hailstorms.

In the end, few grapes arrived in the cellar, half the amount of the previous year, but of excellent quality. The Sangiovese grapes showed perfect analytical values. A new selector with optical reader completed the grape selection work by choosing only the best, berry by berry, with the utmost attention.

THE 2023 VINTAGE

After a very dry 2022, a very rainy 2023 arrived. It rained in winter and especially in spring with a June like a universal deluge. Even in summer, very hot days alternated with thunderstorms. The grapes changed colour at the end of August and then the ripening had a slow and regular character. An old-fashioned climate that gives rise to very classic wines.

CASATO PRIME DONNE IN MONTALCINO

Casato Prime Donne is all organically grown. It is located on the northern side of Montalcino on the slopes of the Montosoli hill. The vineyards surround the old farmhouse that gives its name to the property and belonged to Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s ancestors at least since the end of the sixteenth century.…

L'articolo Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2023 BIO-Organic sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Dear friends, we have prepared an unmissable opportunity for you! Three vintages of Il Drago e le 8 Colombe, all 5 stars: 2012, 2015, and 2020.

This is a special opportunity to compare three harvests of the Super Tuscan il Drago e le 8 Colombe produced at Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda. This wine brings you the aromas of ripe red fruits and the powerful and harmonious flavour typical of a high hill territory where the air is clean and the ripening of the grapes is slow.

OFFER OF THE MONTH: THREE VINTAGES WITH FIVE STARS

The classification of Italian wine vintages ranges from the maximum excellence of five stars, awarded exclusively to the best vintages, to a minimum of one star for the worst vintages. By consulting the vintages you can choose which ones to buy for a wine to cellar or to drink immediately.

🎁 together with the bottles you will find a small gift: a personalized wine saver pump from the Donatella Cinelli Colombini winery. Ideal for decorating your cellar or your kitchen but also as a gift..

🍇 Offer of the Month – For Members of Donatella’s Club

2 bottles 0.75L Il Drago e le 8 Colombe IGT 2012

2 bottles 0.75L Il Drago e le 8 Colombe IGT 2015

2 bottles 0.75L Il Drago e le 8 Colombe IGT 2020 BIO

1 customized wine- saver pump from  Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s winery

🎯 Special price: €159.00 (instead of €191.00)

🚚 €10 discount on shipping

💡 Want to double?…

L'articolo TOP offer with the Supertuscan Il Drago e le 8 Colombe sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

For centuries, extra virgin olive oil has been stored in terracotta jars, an old method that today risks being lost due to the difficulty of adapting the jars to health standards and preserving the oil from oxidation. Donatella Cinelli Colombini has decided to bring this tradition back to life with an ambitious and complex restoration, giving new life to the olive oil culture of Trequanda.

INSPIRATION: VILLA LE CORTI AND L’ORCIAIA IN IMPRUNETA

Three years ago, a visit to Duccio Corsini’s Villa Le Corti lit the spark of this adventure. In that historic estate, the oil is still stored for a few weeks in enormous terracotta jars from Impruneta, a traditional Tuscan material. Prince Corsini revealed to Donatella that his oil sells quickly and at very high prices, making her see an extraordinary opportunity.

THE SEARCH FOR JARS AND THE CREATION OF THE NEW ORCIAIA

At the Fattoria del Colle, Donatella started counting the ancient jars, mostly used as decorative elements, finding 24 of them. But where to make the orciaia room? The solution came unexpectedly: a television report on bank robbers and the saws with which they cut reinforced concrete gave the right idea. With the help of her technician, Fabio Ligioni, Donatella found a company capable of using the same tool to open a door in two old reinforced concrete wine vats placed side by side, made by her great-grandfather and unused for years.…

L'articolo NEW OIL IN ANTIQUE TERRACOTTA JARS IN THE ORCIAIA sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Fattoria del Colle is a very small hamlet built at the end of the sixteenth century on a hill overlooking the Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi. It is waiting for Easter for lovers of Brunello, traditional Tuscan cuisine, old local traditions, views and nature.

A UNIQUE PLACE WITH A LONG HISTORY AND ENCHANTING VIEWS

A setting of ORGANIC vineyards and olive groves, beyond which there is a landscape of wonderful harmony dotted with cities of art and abbeys. Places of great spirituality such as Monte Oliveto Maggiore just 11 km away.

For the Easter weekend, Fattoria del Colle offers an intense program of three visits with experiences and tastings,

gourmand lunches, brief cooking lessons, two toasts and of course itineraries in the woods, relaxing stops to enjoy the wonderful landscape in the silence of nature.

For great wine lovers there is an extraordinary tasting of three 5-star vintages of Brunello 2013, 2015 and 2019 in the section Prime Donne and Riserva versions.

The tastings continue at the table with creative and highly traditional recipes combined with Brunello, Chianti Superiore Supertuscan and Doc Orcia wines. The Fattoria del Colle restaurant is a romantic, refined but informal place to make everyone feel welcomed and pampered.

SPECIAL PROPOSALS WITH WELLNESS AND BRUNELLO TASTING

Those who want to regenerate their skin, as well as their palate and mind, can have personalized massages and vinotherapy, even as a couple, in the natural wellness area.…

L'articolo EASTER 2025 IN TUSCANY IN TUSCANY IN FULL SPRING sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

The recent changes to the Highway Code, wanted by Minister Matteo Salvini, have shaken the world of Italian wine. Restaurants, wine bars and tasting places, such as tourist wineries, are studying solutions to counteract the probable future decline in consumption and therefore in turnover.

THE LACK OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE COMPLICATES THE JOURNEY OF THOSE WHO WANT TO TASTE

In the countryside, where great wines are born, there is a lack of taxis or public transport services capable of taking tourists to and from wineries without driving. For this reason, the director of the magazine “I Grandi Vini” asked Violante Gardini Cinelli Colombini, newly elected president of the Movimento Turismo del Vino, how she recommends tackling the problem for the 700 member wineries.

Here I report some parts of the interview, suggesting you read it in its entirety in “I Grandi Vini” directed by GIOVANNI PELLICCI

QUESTION FROM GIOVANNI PELLICCI DIRECTOR OF I GRANDI VINI

I GRANDI VINI: What are the measures of the new highway code that are of most concern to wineries?

VIOLANTE: The limits of alcohol consumption have not changed, but in the new rules of the Highway Code, the sanctions following a positive alcohol test have been increased. This scares the wineries that are members of the Movimento Turismo del Vino.…

L'articolo VIOLANTE TELLA US ABOUT WINE TOURISM AND ALCOHOL TESTING sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini #winedestination #fattoriadelcolle #casatoprimedonne

The Stazione Leopolda on the occasion of Eccellenza di Toscana (8 and 9 March) was the setting for an all-female tasting and then at the Columbus Urban Hotel for the presentation of Barbara Amoroso‘s book which was also attended by Governor Eugenio Giani.

DOCG WINES OF TUSCANY WITH AIS TOSCANA

The first event is the tasting entitled “DOCG wines of Tuscany with women” which took place within the 23rd edition of “Eccellenza di Toscana”. This is a major event organized by the Italian Sommelier Association of Tuscany in the scenic Stazione Leopolda in Florence on March 8 and 9.

<<To celebrate the feminine side of the sommelerie, the tasting was be led by Ilaria Lorini, Best Tuscan Sommelier AIS 2024, and Lucrezia Caverni Donna del Vino, sommelier and AIS taster>> specified the AIS regional President Cristiano Cini, presenting the initiative that lined up 8 of the 11 Tuscan DOCGs with labels signed by women. <<The 120 Tuscan Women in Wine represent, on this beautiful occasion, all the Italian wineries led by women, which are 28% of the total>> said the Tuscan Delegate Donatella Cinelli Colombini, proud of the amazing bottles of her members.

Many other initiatives are to be organized by the Tuscan delegation of the Associazione Donne del Vino, (Women in Wine) one of the largest and most active regional associations, with 120 members including producers, restaurateurs, wine shop owners, sommeliers, journalists but also many new wine professions such as lawyers, graphic designers, real estate agents, architects, and wine hospitality workers.…

L'articolo AT ECCELLENZA DI TOSCANA WOMEN AND WINE ARE CELEBRATED sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

Dear wine lovers, we have prepared an unmissable opportunity for you! Brunello Prime Donne 2020, an extraordinary wine resulting from a meticulous selection by four internationally renowned female experts, is available in a special proposal in two formats.

This is the first vintage in which Brunello Prime Donne is produced exclusively with grapes from the “Prime Donne” vineyard at Casato Prime Donne, with a limited production of only 5,000 bottles. A Brunello that embodies elegance, finesse and longevity, created to satisfy the palate of the most demanding female consumers, but capable of conquering everyone.

OFFER OF THE MONTH: TWO FORMATS FOR EVERY OCCASION

– The 0.75L bottle, perfect for an intimate dinner or a tasting among a few connoisseurs.

– The magnum (1.5L), ideal for special occasions and for those who love to see the wine evolve over time in a sublime way.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR MEMBERS OF DONATELLA’S CLUB

– 4 bottles (0.75L) of Brunello Prime Donne 2020 BIO

– 1 Magnum (1.5L) of Brunello Prime Donne 2020 BIO

– 1 personalized wooden lid from the Donatella Cinelli Colombini winery

Exclusive price: €292.00 instead of €338.00

€10 discount on shipping

For those who want to double their wine purchase

€575.00 (instead of €679.00) always with a €10 discount on shipping

OFFER FOR ALL WINE LOVERS

– 4 bottles (0.75L) of Brunello Prime Donne 2020 BIO

– 1 Magnum (1.5L) of Brunello Prime Donne 2020 BIO

– 1 personalized wooden lid from the Donatella Cinelli Colombini winery

Price: €316.00 instead of €338.00

€10 discount on shipping

For those who want to double their wine purchase:

€606.00 (instead of €679.00) always with a €10 discount on shipping

📌 Offer valid through March 21st 2025!…

L'articolo AN EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR TRUE ENTHUSIASTS sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, #winedestination, #brunellodimontalcino

In truth, there is something strange in the two wine blog rankings: Intravino is in 14th place in the world list but does not appear in the Italian one even though he is a compatriot. Odd!!!

BEST ITALIAN WINE BLOGS

FeedSpot is a huge archive where you can find blogs, videos, podcasts on any topic and choose the ones to follow based on their style and content. Once a year it brings together the best and Wine News is always in a leading position. The best Italian wine blogs are chosen from thousands of digital media outlets, based on relevance, authority, social media followers and freshness.

First, therefore, WineNews led by Irene Chiari and Alessandro Regoli from their headquarters in Montalcino. A global broadcaster speaking from a small town that has become famous for being the home of Brunello wine. WineNews is described by FeedSpot << The reference point for information on the world of wine: interviews, videos, reviews, insights and always the latest news. Winenews is a communication agency>>. Followed by Vinoway and WineBlogRoll by Francesco Saverio Russo. Only 6th position for the Italian version of Wine Spectator.

BEST WINE BLOGS IN THE WORLD

In the world ranking of the best wine blogs, however, the powerful American magazine is in first place.…

L'articolo WINENEWS IS THE N. 1 WINE BLOG IN ITALY AND THE N. 23 IN THE WORLD sembra essere il primo su Cinelli Colombini.